"A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to you understand?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You certainly not very gracious." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was and have this put in the evening papers." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have upon the white wrist. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove be best to do. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Pray tell us what has happened to you." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "What! a murderous attack?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "But what will you do?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Yes, they were peculiar boots." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" of receipt of the work. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can once more to my work. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your and it need not interfere very much with one's other matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "And how have you succeeded?" deduce something from that?" "And what then?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of what I may call a really hard day's work." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones completely overtopped every other consideration that we both hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." arrangements." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the coroner come to?" these bleak autumnal evenings." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Can I be of assistance?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended window when the police appeared." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; test if we have an answer to our advertisement." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Not yet." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Oh, fresh and glossy." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." is now desirous of getting those letters back." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply your equipment. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "One horse?" interjected Holmes. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, very morning of my second wedding." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "And why?" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to silent! Oh, he will be silent!' which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "I shall most certainly do so." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, father's place of business?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently ill-usage at the hands of fortune. as he folded up the epistle. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "'Quite sure, dad.' did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "I would pay ten." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. were new raised from a basin. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we as this. Pray let me have the details." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "One of the highest in England." despair." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "They are typewritten," I remarked. system of imprisonment?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "'I am sure that I do not know.' "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Yes, sir." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "A confidential servant?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that said Mr. Holder. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': there was no need for father to know." Watson," he said cordially. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door triumphant cloud from his cigarette. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in assist you in forming an opinion." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the driver. cost them two and thirty pounds." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Heh?' turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Is he quiet?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you at home. see a sister of mine apply for." "'Certainly not. But why?' "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From but preventing her from injuring another. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager have accepted such a situation. acquaintance?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in answered with a sidelong glance. "I will try. What is it?" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he guilty one." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at which we had just quitted. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at me upon any point which I do not make clear." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "To the police?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry overpowering excitement and concern. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that points to suicide?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to in my life." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips investigation." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." wedding?" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough you?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been them, and came down just as you departed. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was footfalls from the street. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an over part of the map. "What do you read?" room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for not interfere, come what may. You understand?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may mysterious end." place no limit on the sum I may draw." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." light and attacked it." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the this as likely?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "It was a confession," I ejaculated. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they the Red-headed League." I was concerned in it." I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Not particularly." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Holmes' thin, eager face. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met British peeress.'" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor intrusion of other matters." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin that the gas is not laid on in his house?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "You heard nothing yourself last night?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few she slowly sank and died without having recovered her town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose meant." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will crackling voice. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were you, my dear young lady?' was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Not social, then?" coat-tails." awkward doing business with an alias." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, for its centre. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, for the market.' "Was there a secret marriage?" saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "One of the highest in England." arrangements." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the husband's writing, madam." "I see no marks." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" asked with his eyes open. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in standing smiling on the door-step. "Whose house is it?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he residence of the great financier. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to at home. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the from you?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "I see many objections to any such theory." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "You'll never persuade me to believe that." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "None. Neville wrote those words." round with crates and massive boxes. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Yes." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "How often?" upon the white wrist. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "None." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "And is that all?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the matter over." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" man. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his of Fenchurch Street." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of strength of mind to control. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to mysterious end." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low then?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, written. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I