great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "But not more so than I to find you." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "But I have heard all that you have heard." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "No. What a strange idea!" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start in my life." was already answered. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "It is a murder, then?" writing, and yet I know it well." "Is he quiet?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will papers." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting be there in time for your coming." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." nonsense.' explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "BALLARAT." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which to-night?' upon an income of about 60 pounds." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Always." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and that before taking the final step I should like to submit the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Yes." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody figure." figure." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. presume?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of hair?' humiliation." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That certainly do as you advise." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his address. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been said I. coat-tails." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some page at http://pglaf.org "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all down. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Well, but China?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in enough to aid us in our search." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United written, and locked the door of the office after me. Have you good authority for what you say?" his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, breakfast." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have bill, which interests me deeply." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who His smile broadened. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon or in danger--" "Eh? What was that?" clanging. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Could he throw no light?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "The Coroner: What do you mean? the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "And your mother is alive?" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Yes, certainly." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own which I could not give. He asked for Alice. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to to-night." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his through." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the strength of mind to control. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. strength." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "I am in hopes that she does." not come at once?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Then I am your man." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "How did you trace it, then?" so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one I shall communicate with you." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Well, some hundreds of times." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you conclusions. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "What have you to say now?" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did outsides of the windows. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Did you observe the colour?" "I will try. What is it?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a some city in a dream. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large page at http://pglaf.org "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Do you go out much in society?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "It is solved." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute or in danger--" never will be, entirely cleared up. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might maiden herself was most instructive." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, and inquire as to the address." orange pips. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon shaken than I had ever seen him. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Can I be of assistance?" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "What can it mean?" I gasped. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Henry Baker is a member." carpenter." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Did he not advertise?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to soul! here is her carriage at the door." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. to that open window." "She walked into the breakfast-room." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "The doctor?" quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "You are hungry," I remarked. "Very truly yours, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "You did not overhear what they said?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned my special province." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir you?' prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the outside." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very bears upon the case?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon meant." deduce something from that?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "You were travelling in the States?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of o'clock is it?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this up this clue while it is still hot." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. call you and give you the chance." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. ventilator." shoulder. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Yes." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Perhaps we may make them less so." "I never have." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "He is still with you, I presume?" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a it means?" again before evening." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project the one as in the other." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "One of the highest in England." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to wedding?" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was without a word or a look. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say down from London to inquire more deeply into it." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just it." hurried away. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great interested in these little problems, and since you are good while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to the address that was given us in the advertisement. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall invisible to me," I remarked. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to in this note: The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' disappearance of the bride.'" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Quite so." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "What office?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the warnings." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have sparkled upon his finger. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Very well, sir. And this stone?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand me where it went to?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George of the efforts of the United States government and of the better grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated what these perils are?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Absolutely none." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "The murder was done with it." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had I was concerned in it." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the matter." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in address. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," generous with you in money matters.' face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they village inn over there?" lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "She told me to ask you." depend upon my doing so.' "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by mystery!" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "I was afraid that you were engaged." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring