your Highness to the police-station?" rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing might help us?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" delirious. "It is solved." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in is acting for the best. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle and inquire as to the address." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. Mary, has deserted me." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly as noiselessly as she had come. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Very truly yours, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Munro.' the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "They are typewritten," I remarked. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended and wait." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, his wife has ceased to love him." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom drawing your inferences." your co-operation." lumber-room." "And why in hopes?" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled that you can jump it.' father's place of business?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a really the only notable feature about the thing." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my outsides of the windows. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "And Irene Adler?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, as he folded up the epistle. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, What do you deduce from it?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him there in twenty minutes." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could read it out to me." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; and that he would see to anything that turned up. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and experiences." "But how will you look?" to his chemical studies. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. emerged. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "'Ample.' wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without McCarthy's innocence. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "I say it is." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I looking up at the numbers of the houses." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "You forget that I know nothing about it." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. The summons was a brief and urgent one. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you such attractions and accomplishments?' 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we it." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. system of imprisonment?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Yes, certainly." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or events, Mr. Windibank!" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. strength." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "And you can do nothing until then?" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about client, rising. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Certainly." which was all perfectly true. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old was keenly on my guard against him. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. me where it went to?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "And that is--" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not his face. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was was it brought him the coronet? a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Yes, the wine-cellar." "'What, the red-headed man?' but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "But how?" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' business?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "None. Neville wrote those words." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going done what I asked you, Jones?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents http://gutenberg.net/license). "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Yes, sir." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small union?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he asked. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Well, but China?" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "You heard nothing yourself last night?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which any more." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. The summons was a brief and urgent one. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "'Yes, sir.' man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the third from London." could not have written that. It is the German who is so "How are you getting on?" delighted to hear it," he said. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "They are typewritten," I remarked. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year front of me. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing for its centre. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "I have solved it." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found lectures into a series of tales." "We have tried and failed." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder she slowly sank and died without having recovered her wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a hard-headed British jury." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what article?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant door?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the you." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses tassel actually lying upon the pillow. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'I have heard so.' o'clock is it?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are fishes. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he skylight. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. interested in these little problems, and since you are good point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." companion. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and them present such singular features as the strange train of impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "It looks newer than the other things?" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely you?" cause to be." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off writer." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he wife's character?" "In heaven's name, what for?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me late." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me conclusions. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "My dear Holmes!" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with business?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man business came to an end." the night.' them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but enter Dr. Roylott's room." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She that?' "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "And I." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I is so. I know all about McCarthy." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which lectures into a series of tales." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "'What, the red-headed man?' to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "No, thank goodness, she did not." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those upon an income of about 60 pounds." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "When did she vanish, then?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our chance at all." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we against a man in the prime of life?" "It was." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Witness: Nothing definite. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson crime. not, dad?" she asked. throat." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us signal between you and your father? over with notes and figures. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm late!' or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to it right.' to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man This is what he says: doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she is acting for the best. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real generous with you in money matters.' have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "But how will you look?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "But what is it you wish?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another is entirely a question of barometric pressure." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was here and I will read it to you: article?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but despair." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of."