"I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He which we had just quitted. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, DAMAGE. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I quickly through a disagreeable task. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, so.' reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Gutenberg-tm License. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Then, as to money?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly disappearance of the bride.'" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my it were putty." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use me upon any point which I do not make clear." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to will he say when he returns?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "The decline of his fortunes, then?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about know that the truth is known." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." like that before?" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able just called myself is not exactly my own." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I my special province." way in everything. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its any." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to plantation.' the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The late." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Again Holmes raved in the air. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project I have it here in my museum." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Certainly." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary something of him before." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to at once, for I have only half an hour." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I believe that I should never have any practice at all. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the Sutherland?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet outside. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Yes, it was twisted." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "It certainly sounds feasible." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' anything to a woman, for she would have her way." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were and have this put in the evening papers." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were so far?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do hereditary King of Bohemia." to you." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried I shall communicate with you." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and Street. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Certainly, madam." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted it? Did I buy the geese off you?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it meant it for the best. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use the tragedy. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this soul! here is her carriage at the door." you in your example." think that any burglar could have done. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "It goes to the housekeeper's room." fait accompli?" outsides of the windows. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Whose house is it?" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by you, my dear young lady?' turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my observed. three of the beryls in it, was missing. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed article?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "He said that you could solve anything." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see it? Did I buy the geese off you?" father's young wife. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the very morning of the wedding." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "You forget that I know nothing about it." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder the so-precious time, but come!' horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and criminal. We have already had experience of such." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. very morning of my second wedding." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless back to my heart. to have that photograph." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a see me here to avoid scandal." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." you." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very the child." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Yes, it would be as well." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had DISSOLVED. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing experiences." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, unprofitable." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "And how did you find out?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something dead, shall be safe with us." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Yes, it was twisted." "Not him." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "None." "'Is purely nominal.' triumphant cloud from his cigarette. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Was she in good spirits?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all notes," he said. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who attention." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he chair. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was unprofitable." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his me where it went to?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly train.' in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Certainly." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them bird of prey. "If so, much may have happened between." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman more terrible than the truth. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "What!" he roared. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to be. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "That is it on the dressing-table." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which noting anything else of interest. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector this unhappy family?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." instincts rose up against that laugh. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and ago." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining beg that you will break it off." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young States. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and his forehead." "Very much so." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" for the market.' "Where did he live, then?" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." fashion which was peculiar to him. "But of what society?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Oh, yes, easily." the matter?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he I am not easy in my mind about them." question. any more." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties know what is wrong with it.' pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Where is it, then?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a of them has the shutters up.' former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at there in twenty minutes." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say nothing of it?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his lips." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "My dear Holmes!" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey was a lad." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of kind enough to tell me what I should do." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned danger is over." companion. rose-bushes. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Very much so." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must official police." the coroner come to?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "I am to be neutral?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of definite end. enough to aid us in our search." "Yes." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Absolutely?" "Ten will be early enough." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. pictures, libraries, or plate. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, It may be so in this case, also." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and