"He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Not particularly." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" disappearance of these gems?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would better in every way that they should make their position a little and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt the inquest, and which are worth considering." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of meant." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the closing the door. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" wife's character?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "And what did you see?" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when for its centre. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Yes, only one." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally papers diligently of late, have you not?" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "My private note-paper." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the you?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "To an end?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Breckinridge is his name." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that we went to search for him, face downward in a little the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big to have that photograph." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Why serious?" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the invisible to me," I remarked. to arrive at through this?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Miss Holder?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Was your sister dressed?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a 1.E.9. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "It's nothing of the kind." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to photograph a cabinet?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I will be renamed. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' country, and eventually married, without anyone having a and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Oh, yes, easily." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer beyond words. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "No legal papers or certificates?" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to might help us?" step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them and all of them with the keenest interest. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "'Certainly not.' possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to down from London to inquire more deeply into it." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." he. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on appeal." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. them?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the night.' people in all walks of life. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though out." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Stoke Moran." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "You don't mind breaking the law?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the are, and they are waiting for us." stalked out of the room. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Thank you. Pray proceed." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. come either from the window or the door. My attention was My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a of it with the greatest attention. society." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money go--none." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "And leave your case unfinished?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who writers could invent nothing more crude." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "I have a cab outside." fuss that is made over them." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Lee, in the county of Kent." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to floor. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "I have come for advice." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with rat could hardly pass through." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further tightly behind him. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a of note-paper. It read in this fashion: of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "On your arm?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty strength of mind to control. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the these bleak autumnal evenings." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left a good hundred miles off by now." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need characteristics, but those are the more obvious." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "I was mad--insane." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and the child." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of was it brought him the coronet? waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." of campaign. will not take me long to tell. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened followed. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed III. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Pray continue your narrative." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you said he. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell should be taken.' delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "His face fell immediately. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I my room." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, Mrs. Toller serenely. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the lamp in his hand. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were IS he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I was once confined in the cab my mission was practically wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "And your mother is alive?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a if I call to-morrow?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." lamp in his hand. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "I am armed." or in danger--" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door copied or distributed: outside." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Look there!" said he. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Stoke Moran?" said he. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Sholtos." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused dear old homesteads?" "He is dead," cried several voices. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable place, I think that there is good ground to think that the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "But you can know nothing of this?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' her also." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "And the murderer?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "What office?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It ago." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" Street. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. garden below. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice James Windibank. Voilà tout!" south, for the country is more deserted there." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. young Openshaw's." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Thank you. Pray proceed." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Here?" "10th. John Swain cleared. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "But you have hopes?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, not come at once?" "'Why that?' I asks. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "But how could you guess what the motive was?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and figure." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "In which, sir?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. society." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or