from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Mary, has deserted me." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, thirty. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Ample." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the putting in the horse. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes children over to America with him, so that I found myself without ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but cause to be." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the held up the lantern and gazed about him. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." think you a quite exceptional woman." "I was mad--insane." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind jewels which you have stolen?' brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Oh, fresh and glossy." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" together. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Why, it's a dummy," said he. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too to-morrow." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to seem to you to be relevant or not." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom father's place of business?" seem to you to be relevant or not." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. papers must be those that are destroyed.' "'Certainly not.' strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, said I. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Who was the criminal, then?" at once, for I have only half an hour." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "You have the photograph?" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "No, I am descending." I approached. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving good-night and bustled off upon her way. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." crime." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the coronet in his hand?" who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. guilty one." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "I was certainly surprised to find you there." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case very morning of my second wedding." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, most interesting one." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the armchair which I pushed forward for him. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "But what will you do?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a him to be an active member of the medical profession." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There more solid." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that your room." to a light-house. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a test if we have an answer to our advertisement." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such someone who had been in Australia." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She companion quietly. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification I leave." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I cannot think." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than an introduction to him?" "You did not overhear what they said?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up time." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has your own bird, so if you wish--" the general public were present, then?" crime." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to me." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It of campaign. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons behind me. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Stolen, then." sake, don't!" young Openshaw's." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." nice household for a young lady." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "I am about to be married." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped II. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where place no limit on the sum I may draw." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now to surprise her." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "I was afraid that you were engaged." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily that I am arrested." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Holmes' thin, eager face. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Tired-looking or fresh?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "The decline of his fortunes, then?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official all?" have got?" still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "'And the work?' extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "'Is purely nominal.' at once, for I have only half an hour." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Ample." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had which was all perfectly true. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "I cannot imagine." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first even of instruction." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, persecution?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low that threaten you." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "I will, Miss Turner." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't had picked up in the wood. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Ample." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the society." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. affection." strode off upon his way. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "What can it mean?" I gasped. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "My dear Holmes!" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." are windows in it, of course?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting main points of my analysis." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me face and glided from the room. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, here." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a of the way of danger. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began His name is Francis Prosper." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, business?" "You think so, too?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "One horse?" interjected Holmes. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. of receipt of the work. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would distance from the station, and there we found the young lady instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his towards the blaze. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the three of the beryls in it, was missing. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round throat." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A ways including including checks, online payments and credit card prisoner's face. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Yes." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Your French gold?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than presume?" convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the bedroom door." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. what do you think they found in the pockets?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, gigantic client. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the general public were present, then?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Whose house is it?" the Red-headed League." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Who was the criminal, then?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "I have solved it." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that to take care of herself." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are wedding?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little fear." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four What do you deduce from it?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must make me his representative both with the servants and with the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he again on its way. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the train.' I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "From his hat?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the what is your own theory as to what took place?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been and inquire as to the address." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "And leave your case unfinished?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "You were travelling in the States?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were friends, not even his own brother. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. people in all walks of life. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. three fields round his house, and there he would take his of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the into the room. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Yes." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "The vanishing of the lady." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived strode off upon his way.