"You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his despair." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining front of me. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of outside. "You saw the ventilator, too?" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Stolen." one of them." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be giving me time to thank him. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this that I am arrested." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have footfalls from the street. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a them?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Pool. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "A confidential servant?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and during that time.' case-book, which he consulted. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, which are rolled in Rotterdam." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. fishes. this Miss Turner." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a strange features which were associated with the two crimes which and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that it means?" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said You want to know what became of those geese?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat I leave." the nursery. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation to tackle the facts." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the writers could invent nothing more crude." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have bill, which interests me deeply." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "None." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he your billet.' in a friendly supper." the general public were present, then?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips infinite languor in his face. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Of what day?" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the was lame." all?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right allusion to a rat. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, with frightened eyes at his accuser. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Do you go out much in society?" cause to be." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they some water from a caraffe. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Stolen, then." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project respectable self." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the carried out of court." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at it means?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." me what he had done with the three missing stones. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal me have 200 pounds?' the nursery. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "But she will refuse." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a silent! Oh, he will be silent!' people in all walks of life. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said You want to know what became of those geese?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting own family. to-night's adventure." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for hand, madam?" "What will you do, then?" congenial hunt. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Very truly yours, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "I am following you closely," I answered. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my lost nothing by them." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Serpentine Avenue. not, dad?" she asked. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over without a word or a look. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen against a man in the prime of life?" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in man. again." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose drawing your inferences." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this visitors." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going your room." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Leave Paddington by the 11:15." have not had my rubber." "What! You do not mean bodies?" you?' "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "And did you observe any change in her then?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she closely." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens me." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us little trying to do so much typewriting?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I imbecility!" he cried. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to meant." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his breakfast and whispered something to her husband. if only as a check to my own memory." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his colour had been driven from his face. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my chamber." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Could he throw no light?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Indeed! Whose, then?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough come either from the window or the door. My attention was It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, is four-and-twenty." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and them present such singular features as the strange train of "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. results." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Dr. Gregory B. Newby "The Cedars?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it it? Did I buy the geese off you?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "That is it on the dressing-table." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" once more for Briony Lodge. "Has he come with you to-night?" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, reach." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "I was afraid that you were engaged." held up the lantern and gazed about him. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his affair. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE the general public were present, then?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we papers must be those that are destroyed.' this as likely?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." the tragedy. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. allusion to a rat. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other purpose equally well?" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little I nodded again. "I will try. What is it?" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom gives a meaning to it." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and words came to my lips. you in your example." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "She will not sell." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "But what is it you wish?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the before, for it was considerably after midnight. wall." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he important." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't off." "No, my brougham is waiting." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the what these perils are?" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves himself in a perplexing position. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." man. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at call it cruel." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the The King stared at him in amazement. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Game for a morning drive?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too stepfather?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a his face which made him a very different person to the round, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "No, I am descending." introspective fashion. are windows in it, of course?" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind yards of it?' all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Yes, the wine-cellar." "How many? I don't know." must be when I saw the door open.' Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Yes." "To ruin me." keep the flames under. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." respectable self." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "'Most admirably.' were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the But Holmes shook his head gravely. "No, I am descending." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Yes." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and fact, we may call it conclusive." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Of what?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting tied." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do from you?" neither fascinating nor artistic." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. than to us. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a where we are going." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door young Openshaw's." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "I should be immensely obliged to you." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, and glanced through. "'Then let me do so?' dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored giving me time to thank him.