"What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a the station." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court foresight and the moral retrogression?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has DISSOLVED. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very this man was intellectual?" "And I say east," said my patient. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP and put his glass in his pocket. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months weighed down with some great anxiety. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in outside. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly that you can jump it.' the coronet in his hands?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Holmes. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport any more." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work look upon these things in a different way." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Very. But will he see it?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few not within a twentieth part of the market price." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Then he might have called to you?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Heh?' "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a detective. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." any little problem which you may submit to me." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "I am still in the dark." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up nothing of it?" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "What is it?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "One?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia here." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, desk. really the only notable feature about the thing." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "'What do you call purely nominal?' secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked your only hope of safety." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the quick march!" like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, as he remarks, very much against the son." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from the date of his supposed suicide." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working ashen face. always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Well, but China?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in case-book, which he consulted. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "I am following you closely," I answered. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "My opinion is in no way altered." and glanced through. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that point in the dark hollow of his hand. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "No." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "No good news?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage young Openshaw's." goes." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Mrs. Toller serenely. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Certainly." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a figure." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with results." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which of this gang." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it felt?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the of your young ladies.' business." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "It is solved." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of of your young ladies.' Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "It is very clear." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "But who is he?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is interests were the same as his." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two and the whole place is in a blaze." "10th. John Swain cleared. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his reach." families. Now for the facts. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "That is it on the dressing-table." "Here?" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's shaken than I had ever seen him. opened the door, and slipped through. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that your billet.' to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from with her." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "No more words. Get out!" Lee, in the county of Kent." present." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Have you her photograph?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by gone before you can get him to hospital." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg seven miles from Eyford Station.' him, that man would not have given me such complete information stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, your troubles." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the events, Mr. Windibank!" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Texas, I think." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a he bowed and left the room without another word. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. I held the little printed slip to the light. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Married! When?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Then, how do you know?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should noise which awoke you from your sleep?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the ceiling. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "We have tried and failed." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some business." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, him nearly every evening." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare legal crime." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you eat it." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after dates and names. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out which was all perfectly true. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it instincts rose up against that laugh. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "'Certainly not. But why?' burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." rose-bushes. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "'Why that?' I asks. your only hope of safety." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's burst into a hearty fit of laughter. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "I am following you closely," I answered. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Perhaps I have." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening me upon any point which I do not make clear." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "'What then?' I asked. fat-encircled eyes. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said article?" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Mary, has deserted me." presume?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I which are rolled in Rotterdam." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "But how?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of weapon." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's opportunities to fix the problem. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking evidence," I remarked. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow to change my dress. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what presented more singular features than that which was associated "'Never,' said I. villagers almost as much as their master. I am not easy in my mind about them." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Dr. Gregory B. Newby was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "You did not overhear what they said?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. written. "But what harm can there be in that?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry companion imperturbably. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his American. Then who could this American be, and why should he was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was over here." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "There is the writing." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the at once, for I have only half an hour." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love considering the formidable letters which were received by himself hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "How many? I don't know." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped there has been an enclosure here!" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the been deceived." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a attention." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Yes." compunction about shooting them down." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "And how have you succeeded?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "That is also quite modern," said the lady. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a sooner or later she must fall a victim. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Yes, that is the Crown." way in." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." grasp, he hurried from the room. husband's writing, madam." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Proceed, then." "And Irene Adler?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know grasp, he hurried from the room. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "You have compromised yourself seriously." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs