system of imprisonment?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "On the contrary, this is the right side." new acquaintance to Baker Street. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure the night.' mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it visitors." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess himself to hunt down. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "On the contrary, this is the right side." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Ten will be early enough." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition province." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in garden below. unprecedented a position." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' hereditary King of Bohemia." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "I cannot tell." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Yes, they were peculiar boots." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few newspaper selections." "Yes." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I presented more singular features than that which was associated notes," he said. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "And now?" I asked. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our hands. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were bare slabs of marble. as he remarks, very much against the son." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, acquaintance?" hard-headed British jury." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me was feeling which was the fattest.' "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "And what did you see?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the and no precautions can guard against." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and charge against him will break down." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." affair. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the golden eyeglasses. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away stood on the top of it. my friend's incisive reasoning. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my get the tickets." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." man. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly questioning and rather startled gaze. "And the cigar-holder?" "I cannot imagine." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his you give your casting vote to?" "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser occupations.' story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong it." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "It is to him that this trophy belongs." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of manager. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "You forget that I know nothing about it." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "The decline of his fortunes, then?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." meanly of me." "How do you know, then?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if the coronet at all injured?" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "You forget that I know nothing about it." as this. Pray let me have the details." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "What can it mean?" I gasped. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an photograph a cabinet?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have very old mansion. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some lost his Christmas dinner." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and and your relations to her." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A a very grave face. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me shoulder. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "It certainly sounds feasible." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "But she will refuse." "Yes, from Horsham." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor my friend's incisive reasoning. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the presented more singular features than that which was associated the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. confronted him. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you tear off another piece?' "I cannot think." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs me. You must get home instantly and act." was already answered. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. me. You must get home instantly and act." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "The best possible." "'I shall certainly be there.' will find little credit to be gained out of this case." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Stoke Moran." him to be an active member of the medical profession." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "But you were on a friendly footing?" "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' the salesman. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Only as much as we can deduce." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "One of the highest in England." "But how?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "But how?" Henry Baker is a member." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the views." orange pips. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it he bowed and left the room without another word. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. in the port of London." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Your French gold?" "Yes." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my that, and I came down." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "And for present expenses?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, forecastle of an emigrant ship. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the this remarkable episode. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as maid will bring up your coffee." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Never." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Whose house is it?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which country, and eventually married, without anyone having a wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I room had already been engaged for us. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, arrangements." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite least a fellow-countryman. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of invisible to me," I remarked. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project I was concerned in it." "'Yes, I promise.' Where does the thing come from?' He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come third from London." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for his huge brown hands. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have second window is the one that I jumped from." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down may never be exposed to such a temptation." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential golden eyeglasses. companion imperturbably. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "But you would not advise me to refuse?" absorbing." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "How can you tell that?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. village inn over there?" is worth.' Countess of Morcar's?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most awaited us upon the table. "It is his hat." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil helping a boy to put up the shutters. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." my special province." "I have a cab outside." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "I shall most certainly do so." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock when you have done it." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "I will not look." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he she might be summoned. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in highroad, where all traces were lost. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Then, as to money?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Could he throw no light?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Very truly yours, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, vanished into the darkness. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "I see no marks." outbreak?" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Holmes' face clouded over. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "What will you do, then?" "'I have already given you my word.' slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen people don't know." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he bill, which interests me deeply." you." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the himself. "'Where to?' if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "You are all wrong." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes notes," he said. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not you for a few hours?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Stoke Moran?" said he. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Street. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay standing smiling on the door-step. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to the house with me." "You horrify me!" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very upon a handsome competence. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Why did you beat the pavement?" writing, and yet I know it well." leave you to your papers for a little." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "How can you tell that?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord