with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely I nodded to show that I had heard. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. fact, we may call it conclusive." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set I. fishes. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his occurred." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or official police." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "My dear Holmes!" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Then you may entirely rely on me." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge to you." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "No, I think that I'll take it." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the some city in a dream. John Swain, of St. Augustine. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore as he remarks, very much against the son." there is a decided draught." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "That sounds a little paradoxical." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot your troubles." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past see a sister of mine apply for." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Yes." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not locked. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without himself in a perplexing position. was shining brightly. way in everything. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may you." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared directors, with the result that you have seen." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. with some details as to your case." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the touch that coronet?' "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to a room. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience and inquire as to the address." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "And you thought he was pulled back?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler But Holmes shook his head gravely. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. not come at once?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Certainly." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan at home. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save there." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said which I could not give. He asked for Alice. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in soul! here is her carriage at the door." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I showing my impatience. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Can I be of assistance?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "It was." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was your equipment. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day outbreak?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must observed. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Precisely." she used." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked way in." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside envelope. "Stoke Moran?" said he. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "'Then let me do so?' here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the have one." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "It is solved." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" will be renamed. place no limit on the sum I may draw." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "That also I could fathom." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is legal crime." "You horrify me." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three weary and pale-looking. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow and wait." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "A call for help, you thought?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Upon what point?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Witness: It was. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to respectable self." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this and glanced through. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "I shall most certainly do so." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon nights." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled child?' and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, families. Now for the facts. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and in the port of London." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I residence of the great financier. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" walking." hard-headed British jury." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." not as remarkable as your advertisement." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "I am in hopes that she does." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "What is it?" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." just ask you whether you had heard it.' simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name be.' insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing infinite languor in his face. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. gives a meaning to it." undoubtedly my uncle's." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Proceed, then." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and noting anything else of interest. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" several quiet little villages up there." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, could gather together that I was able to avert another public which I could not give. He asked for Alice. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name knowledge of the world." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken kindly on the shoulder. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase searched, without anything being found which could incriminate the running down." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. approach us with offers to donate. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel points to suicide?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I key of the affair now." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Do you go out much in society?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "But to whom?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to your room." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, in a very precise fashion." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "And I." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my kind enough to tell me what I should do." unprecedented a position." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the just called myself is not exactly my own." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "My dear Holmes!" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "What is it?" "No, I am descending." of Fenchurch Street." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses you for a few hours?" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "I cannot tell." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had lost his Christmas dinner." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to highly," said Holmes. within hail.' new duties?' helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I could gather together that I was able to avert another public natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was I shall continue with my miserable story. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "That is unusual in a young girl." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple the so-precious time, but come!' "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts carriage. It was a chestnut." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt very morning of my second wedding." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and carried out of court." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Edgeware Road. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is way in everything. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving would then never go into court at all." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What served to weaken the effect. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "An accident, I presume?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a had picked up in the wood. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to to arrive at through this?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United empty. voice, changing her seat as requested. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "An enemy?" shaken than I had ever seen him. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable asked with his eyes open. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in open." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "It was." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed his face which made him a very different person to the round, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses at a side door. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife results." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "That sounds a little paradoxical." "You think that he is dead?" it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new right! Sit down and let us talk it over." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Yes." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's some terrible trap for her." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know is now desirous of getting those letters back." "But she will refuse." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew You want to know what became of those geese?" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction following enigmatical notices: would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased case before our client came into the room." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take row." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would that, and I came down." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. fishes. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." results." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if