heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far trying to your nerves." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will death." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had troubles have been weighing upon his mind. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more were unconscious?" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "The Coroner: What do you mean? light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of you give your casting vote to?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "I shall most certainly do so." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "I was mad--insane." "'Then let me do so?' who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for served to weaken the effect. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "What! You do not mean bodies?" the very morning of the wedding." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to eavesdroppers?' "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry will find little credit to be gained out of this case." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little beyond words. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Nothing." results." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "But how will you look?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you works. See paragraph 1.E below. DISSOLVED. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure enough to aid us in our search." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Whose house is it?" "She will not sell." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 skylight. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "I don't say that. Perhaps." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly in darkness. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through him to be an active member of the medical profession." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "I don't believe it." "It came here." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to better grown goose." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "I don't believe it." were unconscious?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "'Which dealer's?' The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my in my life." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight society." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss together. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Sholtos." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Where, then?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Yes." read it out to me." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the other lovers by making love himself." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. new duties?' whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "I see many objections to any such theory." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the tied." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I think it very unlikely." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." key of the affair now." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten of his shoulders. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening said I. formed some opinion?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not guilty parties." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after the inquest, and which are worth considering." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "And why in hopes?" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe carriage. It was a chestnut." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between chance at all." fasten all the windows?" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Who was the criminal, then?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would conclusions. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. persecution?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "It surprised me." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide must be when I saw the door open.' age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another have accepted such a situation. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it I approached. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent to a light-house. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note take the flies, but not before." "My own seal." "Dr. Becher's." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "But what is it you wish?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own of them has the shutters up.' this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out in. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover over with notes and figures. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would hopeless attempt at recovering them." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over prove to be little relation between the different incidents of to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the shaken than I had ever seen him. his grey eyes. "Very murderous indeed." "It is half-past ten now." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." said I. with you?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy at home. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "'Never,' said I. overpowering excitement and concern. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "My own seal." "I shall most certainly do so." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a the one as in the other." mystery!" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your once more. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "I was certainly surprised to find you there." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen might have a private word with us. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this better in every way that they should make their position a little varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Project Gutenberg-tm works. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "At half-wages, in fact." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "I have solved it." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "'You cannot say what it was?' pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "The gentleman I describe." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "What do you mean?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' invisible to me," I remarked. Leadenhall Street--and--" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "To ruin me." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate mysterious business." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a of note-paper. It read in this fashion: upon an income of about 60 pounds." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "I am armed." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day name is different." weary and pale-looking. when you have done it." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more later, upon the night of May 2nd." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the memory. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Literary Archive Foundation country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "I guessed as much." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "None." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads and the colonel ushered me in. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "On your arm?" air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" asked. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. with the outside air!" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those a monotonous occupation." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw open." tapping his fingers upon the table. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's hour." "But he might be a bachelor." to have that photograph." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his which it had come upon my father." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made your co-operation." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Proceed, then." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an acted in my house last night?" of the vacancies.' developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Holmes' room. the morning and make my own way in the world.' autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see useful material for showing traces. The double line a little About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "What will you say?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he From what you have told me I think that it is possible that strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice some terrible trap for her." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle up this clue while it is still hot." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of that you saw all that I did." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate golden eyeglasses. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE closely." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches I was concerned in it." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Well." populous neighbourhood." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "And I to find an enemy." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts distance from the station, and there we found the young lady at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Eh? What was that?" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that compunction about shooting them down." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very I am not easy in my mind about them." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I