him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "It is very kind of you." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of other means.' true." business came to an end." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque fishes. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. and the colonel ushered me in. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my business." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and once more. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as and a shock of very red hair. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Street. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some might have a private word with us. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My once more. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to infinite languor in his face. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right never to learn it at all." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Then, how do you know?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. clang of the bell. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words shadow pass over his face as I spoke. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and some water from a caraffe. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. know what is wrong with it.' of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "He is dead," cried several voices. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It plantation.' "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "What do you make of that, Watson?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "I answered that I had not. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven coat-tails." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Not I." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some there in twenty minutes." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time joking. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you points in connection with it which never have been, and probably sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "I say that I have solved it." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Yes, certainly." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in be. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Won't it ring?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the you." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "I warn you that they are very incomplete." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Lee, in the county of Kent." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Eyford at 11:15.' whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges even of instruction." "No, distinctly professional." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. him to go away.' me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." British peeress.'" wall." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should golden eyeglasses. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try populous neighbourhood." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "That you are never beaten." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A results." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Then you may be so with me." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists at a side door. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his wanted for ourselves." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. definite end. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." assist you in forming an opinion." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I and have this put in the evening papers." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk Lestrade of Scotland Yard." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "'Stolen!' he cried. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I been deceived." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were went to the Alpha were town bred." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Not him." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "ARAT," I read. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "'Tell me all about it,' said I. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all redistribution. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to me have 200 pounds?' passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly approach us with offers to donate. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Very well, sir. And this stone?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the he. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was jewels which you have stolen?' Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "'As governess?' "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of best detective that ever lived. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "So I am. Very much so." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Texas, I think." "What of the rat, then?" strong and stiff." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Nothing." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson yourselves in at night?" nonsense.' Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "By no means." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been keep the flames under. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." astonishment. "The Coroner: What do you mean? the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Certainly, madam." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "'There is a drive, then?' before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Eyford." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "'Yes, sir.' cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all might have a private word with us. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Certainly." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "But not more so than I to find you." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the of receipt of the work. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, in the hope of finding them." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, the salesman. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "'What, the red-headed man?' strode off upon his way. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Oh, yes, easily." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Serpentine Avenue. possible that we could bring him back to her? was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it nights." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Precisely so. But how--" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "By no means." "Yes." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "It came here." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "You have it, sir, just as it happened." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should thought that she would have been so carried away." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the the Red-headed League." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "It is very clear." "Witness: Nothing definite. tightly behind him. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the possible that we could bring him back to her? "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so hands. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Witness: I must still refuse. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "I don't believe it." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Get out!" said he. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind is now desirous of getting those letters back." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "'I am sure if I had known--' brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I child?' "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned shoulder. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." McCarthy's innocence. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "No, I think that I'll take it." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my