"I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself that, and I came down." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of his fortune, and I went back to pa. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and introspective fashion. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "You'll never persuade me to believe that." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my forebodings. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "'What then?' I asked. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Oh, fresh and glossy." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. yourselves in at night?" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to you understand?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "At the wedding breakfast." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her your equipment. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You straighten it?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. meant." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the But Holmes shook his head gravely. "'Then let me do so?' he. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "I see no marks." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, been." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court at a side door. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Yes, it would be as well." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Murdered?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his companion. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to there!' reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "What is it, then--a fire?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a words came to my lips. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in of Fenchurch Street." from the brougham. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect IS was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "How on earth--" of receipt of the work. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will his forehead." charge against him will break down." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. so far?" wall." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as if she died from some sudden fright." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. the inner apartment." "I came to find a friend." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." spare." "Certainly." "Indeed! Whose, then?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "He is still with you, I presume?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built conclusions. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "And how in the world did you find them?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If writer." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "And I to find an enemy." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. I approached. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend three of the beryls in it, was missing. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "I guessed as much." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Do you go out much in society?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the whereabouts. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Dirty?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Quite so." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "But we can't all be." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at whereabouts. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think was already answered. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "I have solved it." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Quite so." standing smiling on the door-step. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated It was close upon four before the door opened, and a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "A greater distance to travel." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "But of what society?" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried sake, don't!" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "You don't mind breaking the law?" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the hurried away. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was business at Coburg Square is serious." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he lamp. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Deserted you?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Holmes' face clouded over. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, cost them two and thirty pounds." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running your troubles." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless enter into my head. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon It may be so in this case, also." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary here." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a gives a meaning to it." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she again before evening." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of bachelor.' "Then I can wait in the next room." "None." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "No." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Have you her photograph?" tell them apart.' true." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Always." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which felt?" thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended done what I asked you, Jones?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger cigar and let me expound." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through there was no need for father to know." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from weapon." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "I do." four million human beings all jostling each other within the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and the morning and make my own way in the world.' "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "What?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon I took the paper from him and read as follows: get her out of the way." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Yes." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Dr. Becher's." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' entirely lost his self-respect." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "It is possible." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Thank you. And your address?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my annoyance, but no jest. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "I have a cab outside." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." were new raised from a basin. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all galvanised. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely will find little credit to be gained out of this case." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Not in a good cause." and no precautions can guard against." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like strength of mind to control. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." companion quietly. province." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend little trying to do so much typewriting?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need hand, madam?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a your equipment. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "I will get her to show me." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP detective. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "I would pay ten." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "And why?" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the entirely lost his self-respect." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence bill, which interests me deeply." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "She showed me, as I told you she would." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some will take you up to see the machine.' facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "That was it, sir." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have what I may call a really hard day's work." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "And the cigar-holder?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in page at http://pglaf.org we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "No, distinctly professional." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire there in twenty minutes." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose the tragedy. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Seven!" I answered. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "'You cannot say what it was?' them present such singular features as the strange train of Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "But we can't all be." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure but preventing her from injuring another. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "It came here." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save me what he had done with the three missing stones. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "You have carte blanche." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "If so, much may have happened between." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "ARAT," I read. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "I say it is." and put his glass in his pocket. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting developed." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head congratulate you again." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "We must have a cab." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "I cannot think." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, vanished into the darkness. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently