noise which awoke you from your sleep?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Then he might have called to you?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more than was visible to me." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was criminal. We have already had experience of such." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." congratulate you again." "Perhaps I have." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here overpowering excitement and concern. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local without a word or a look. "'What then?' I asked. and it need not interfere very much with one's other waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her not fit the lock." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for What do you deduce from it?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." way in." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and fashion which was peculiar to him. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "I will try. What is it?" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat flock.' The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "I saw her in conversation with her maid." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I must compliment you." at home. strode off upon his way. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City do." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his heavy and sharp instrument." bachelor.' year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really made him keep the appointment." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. had died away into the silence from which it rose. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Very much so." over here." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious chance." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "From his hat?" "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business mystery!" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Pope's Court. eavesdroppers?' "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, hard-headed British jury." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "And the cigar-holder?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. them?" bedroom door." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the woman." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police fishes. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "What do you make of that, Watson?" be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "In the cells." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his did not hear it also.' his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question will be renamed. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, knowledge of the world." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "The rest you will leave in our hands." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "A thing like a cleaver," said he. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little the inquest, and which are worth considering." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming side. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time some place of shelter and let the county police know what has the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Perhaps I have." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of the matter?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "In which, sir?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to was once confined in the cab my mission was practically I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Ah!" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a when your master had gone out." this man was intellectual?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. have one." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of fluttered off among the others. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed over with notes and figures. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "I will do it." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Ha! you find it so?" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my you, my dear young lady?' princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' his forehead." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and extraordinary contortions. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking least a fellow-countryman. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I The King stared at him in amazement. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Edgeware Road. one of the states of the Union." spark where all is dark to me." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "I cannot as yet see any connection." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. few hundred pounds.' to-night?' some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "But we can't all be." will not take me long to tell. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic had this final quarrel? a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must his fortune, and I went back to pa. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" open." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Yes, the wine-cellar." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son look dissatisfied." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Yes?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and was the fact that his father should, according to his account, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "What are they?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and not personally threatened." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his unprofitable." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he giving me time to thank him. "And what did you learn from him?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all thirty. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it cheerful." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "It came here." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Ten will be early enough." your troubles." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, of campaign. "And help." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Was your sister dressed?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, your co-operation." several quiet little villages up there." "Then, how do you know?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, to have been novel and of interest." begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. had picked up in the wood. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you appeared upon the scene." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching been anything against him. He had for years been known as a idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "You are hungry," I remarked. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery man. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "I have come for advice." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." must be when I saw the door open.' incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in DISSOLVED. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will get her out of the way." "How did you trace it, then?" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "That is easily got." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Which are?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made present." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of http://gutenberg.net/license). a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter This is what he says: "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door keep the flames under. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Yes." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all fishes. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "What are they?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to said I. just called myself is not exactly my own." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their to surprise her." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Dark enough and sinister enough." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the warnings." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Can I be of assistance?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my a monotonous occupation." opened the door, and slipped through. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Which are?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "'Certainly not.' St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn o'clock is it?" rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "It is very kind of you." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, enter Dr. Roylott's room." a suggestive one." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds question. your sleep?' better in every way that they should make their position a little be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It fat-encircled eyes. touch that coronet?' "But who is he?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem of this gang." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "How did that help you?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Was there a secret marriage?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to