to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "I cannot imagine." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband round and wave him away like that.' "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Did your wife hear all this?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "How on earth--" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business and glanced through. "What is it, then--a fire?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of she might be summoned. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "No, finished." a good hundred miles off by now." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own house for five minutes.' "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of you in yours." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Lee, in the county of Kent." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "'Yes, sir.' 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Street. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in persecution?" husband's writing, madam." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "I don't say that. Perhaps." "On Monday." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "There is the writing." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "By all means." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back anything to do with the matter?" said he. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I The summons was a brief and urgent one. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We horse could go." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from father's place of business?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Dr. Becher's." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange the bottom.' your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. been with you?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "To ruin me." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" were wasted." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "It is possible." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the was shining brightly. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay were unconscious?" upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come our word." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "You have the photograph?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Very. But will he see it?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Literary Archive Foundation of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, the side-table." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what chill to my heart. himself. bears upon the case?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "I cannot imagine." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Yes." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, himself in a perplexing position. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "On Monday." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the lectures into a series of tales." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "My photograph." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I your own bird, so if you wish--" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "I have solved it." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, been deceived." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through that the gas is not laid on in his house?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do the roots. "We were both in the photograph." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "I cannot say that I have." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we narrative." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp criminal. We have already had experience of such." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want me. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "My dear Holmes!" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Come in!" said Holmes. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. morning." photograph?" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must appeared upon the scene." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Game for a morning drive?" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. leaning back in his chair. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "'Why that?' I asks. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "'Is purely nominal.' "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in to some other building. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Nothing." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "But we can't all be." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "It is a murder, then?" seen the man in the road." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the the south-west, I see." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "That is not always so easy." occurred." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with himself. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty and that he would see to anything that turned up. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "I cannot tell." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Look there!" said he. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and for and were ordered to this address. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, matter." that?' memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "I am armed." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Yes, but only for you and me." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a page at http://pglaf.org Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without crime." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid a monotonous occupation." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was a very grave face. License. You must require such a user to return or door?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you man. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed unprofitable." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us showing my impatience. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which locked." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" bears upon the case?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained papers on the sundial.'" corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for of the one which your family is now devouring." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "My last client of the sort was a king." go from here to the Strand." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." less than 26s. 4d. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "And sit in the dark?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn man. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an introspective fashion. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be before the coroner and the police-court." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my ways of our fellow-men." "And sit in the dark?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "You think that he is dead?" "Not I." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her and no precautions can guard against." already been minutely examined." "Why, what do you mean?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever singular points about the case. What did the police think of the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. ready to-morrow?' For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Indeed! Whose, then?" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. read it out to me." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Is he quiet?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's and all of them with the keenest interest. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short kind enough to tell me what I should do." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "And you thought he was pulled back?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal questioning and rather startled gaze. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." wedding?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "You will not go there first?" of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been and that he would see to anything that turned up. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the look upon these things in a different way." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to danger is over." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've towards the blaze. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "My private note-paper." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that over part of the map. "What do you read?" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "No more words. Get out!" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as details." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. disturbance in my wife." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Not yet." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your was a perfect sample of the class. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I nothing of it?" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "No." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "It was." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have morning." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but back to my heart. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely over part of the map. "What do you read?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "At the wedding breakfast." "You horrify me." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came more terrible than the truth. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a colour had been driven from his face. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Your French gold?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you