"Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are father's place of business?" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I for and were ordered to this address. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but I have it here in my museum." him!" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "I shall most certainly do so." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "No, distinctly professional." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been you." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "I will, Miss Turner." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR the dangers which encompass me." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Precisely." would apply.' grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard key turn in the lock." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my noble correspondent could be. think that any burglar could have done. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the Countess of Morcar's?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the warnings." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this and the whole place is in a blaze." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Heh?' rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned London for the present?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the fattened it expressly for you.' "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no occurred." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I late!' "Texas, I think." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "'Certainly not.' the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "She told me to ask you." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Yesterday." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the happened." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "I have a cab outside." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Of what day?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the night.' the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was late!' to miss it." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Then how many are there?" it." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "And you can do nothing until then?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." matter over." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Won't it ring?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "It came here." new acquaintance to Baker Street. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' together. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and the matter?" didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right other, as fresh and trim as possible. an introduction to him?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Well, it is a possible supposition." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Then what has happened to him?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Did you observe the colour?" pound a week." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing vanished into the darkness. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "You have but to name it." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "It is possible." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "So I am. Very much so." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Stoke Moran?" said he. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass way: "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said you." "I would pay ten." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." her also." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the the devil!" "Will you go?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of there was no need for father to know." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "So I am. Very much so." "And did you observe any change in her then?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Eyford." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, The King stared at him in amazement. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "But who is he?" jewels which you have stolen?' a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over and a shock of very red hair. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "It is no ordinary one." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. following enigmatical notices: "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." train.' dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you appeal." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to with frightened eyes at his accuser. went to the Alpha were town bred." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "That also I could fathom." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see there was no need for father to know." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "'You cannot say what it was?' my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with you." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you to tackle the facts." as yours." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'Is 4 pounds a week.' before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "But not more so than I to find you." second." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Could he throw no light?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare now. It seems that there had been some informality about their old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by had this final quarrel? peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." south, for the country is more deserted there." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Mrs. Toller serenely. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Yes, it would be as well." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet not within a twentieth part of the market price." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but his knees, staring into the fire. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" even so self-evident a thing as that." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "There are none." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." to-night." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "'Which dealer's?' "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't completely overtopped every other consideration that we both station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he them present such singular features as the strange train of us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is this man was intellectual?" detained." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's memory. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Was your sister dressed?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, might help us?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Where to?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Where is it, then?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all is so. I know all about McCarthy." "10th. John Swain cleared. own family. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "My own seal." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the has little to do with my story." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but introspective fashion. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I jewels which you have stolen?' room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "If I can be of use." in this note: enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so not interfere, come what may. You understand?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, quite distinctive." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be for securing the situation." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute main points of my analysis." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, little trying to do so much typewriting?" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little mystery!" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'Is 4 pounds a week.' been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is crime. furiously. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the have established a very serious case against the son of the with you alone." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have father's place of business?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, call for it in person on Monday morning.' ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to had formerly been in part my own. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Tired-looking or fresh?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Who by?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a hurried away. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." astonishment. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable directly by questioning you." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at subject to the trademark license, especially commercial unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "And I say east," said my patient. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house sentimental considerations in the background which would induce a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence your most interesting statement." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. light and attacked it."