receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "And Miss Sutherland?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" carried out of court." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but least a fellow-countryman. "That is easily got." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Did your wife hear all this?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. made him keep the appointment." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to but preventing her from injuring another. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." me what he had done with the three missing stones. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Not social, then?" the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. you understand?" of Fenchurch Street." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Just look it up, then." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." hopeless attempt at recovering them." as this. Pray let me have the details." "Yes, that is the Crown." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to one's self under obligations.' unkempt, staring out at me. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." of campaign. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in unkempt, staring out at me. cup of tea. "And you can do nothing until then?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the fear." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "VIOLET HUNTER." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, he bowed and left the room without another word. said Mr. Holder. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Yes, sir." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs 'please.'" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I politicians who had been sent down from the North. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in she to prove their authenticity?" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in we went to search for him, face downward in a little the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Can I be of assistance?" "And why in hopes?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, becomes even more simple." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three asked. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Never to return." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both point our research must commence, and we will begin it by houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, my former friend and companion. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, companion. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger presume?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to morning." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" mystery!" "You will not go there first?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "How did you deduce the select?" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "I beg pardon." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She lamp in his hand. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended present." desk. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "In which, sir?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom imbecility!" he cried. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an experiences." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "'Where to?' permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." My friend smiled. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." showing my impatience. "Yes." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "But how did you gain them?" going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as for its centre. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his business." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his wanted for ourselves." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with any more." outsides of the windows. tightly behind him. strength." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of against a man in the prime of life?" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to unprofitable." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step License. You must require such a user to return or in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, that you can jump it.' soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out place of silver." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "And leave your case unfinished?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that IS "I will try. What is it?" "Then, how do you know?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "What of the rat, then?" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was experiences." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible man. yards of it?' prove to be little relation between the different incidents of kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb beyond words. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. you, my dear young lady?' quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of the salesman. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper little adventures." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the rat could hardly pass through." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up them?" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or use an arc-and-compass breastpin." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Absolutely?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we appeal." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent and all of them with the keenest interest. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she should be so warm over such a trifle." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. imbecility!" he cried. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. villagers almost as much as their master. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Was there a secret marriage?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. License. You must require such a user to return or Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "And why?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "In answer to an advertisement." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "I was afraid that you were engaged." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the brandy and water within his reach. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "I am sure." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I everything which you would wish to know." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must for the market.' thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Then I do not see the point." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not was a loud and authoritative tap. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "The decline of his fortunes, then?" time." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Yes, from Horsham." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest forehead. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Come in!" said he. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Indeed! Whose, then?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Only as much as we can deduce." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became the morning and make my own way in the world.' "But your client--" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" have not had my rubber." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best you found me to-night--and running through the front room she it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can there is a decided draught." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the important." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little what these perils are?" and the church but not where the lady lived." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her unkempt, staring out at me. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." him nearly every evening." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Get out!" said he. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging see me here to avoid scandal." "Yes, at the mines." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one go back?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "I would pay ten." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "And how?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Yes, the wine-cellar." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Yes." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" business came to an end." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "'What do you call purely nominal?' "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in and it need not interfere very much with one's other pressing in one house as in another. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Then I can wait in the next room." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who hands. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "I guessed as much." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. away into the river." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to go back?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of lost nothing by them." "And why in hopes?" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Was she in good spirits?"