as he remarks, very much against the son." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "There are none." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "'Never,' said I. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "When did she vanish, then?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "I will get her to show me." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of into the bag, and made for the door. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have envelope. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read secret." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Serpentine Avenue. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to people don't know." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and disturbance in my wife." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Really! You surprise me." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "She told me to ask you." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project green of the new foliage. helping a boy to put up the shutters. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as so.' "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Dirty?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Well, some hundreds of times." detective. "I am in hopes that she does." "And the murderer?" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right already referred to. the inquest, and which are worth considering." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "I don't believe it." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Certainly." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and have an American origin." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "On the contrary, this is the right side." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. chill to my heart. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with that, and I came down." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. forehead. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at careless servant girl?" as this. Pray let me have the details." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Where to?" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my there." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young it right.' "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Yes, all." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "That is unusual in a young girl." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "'What then?' I asked. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" directly by questioning you." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Sutherland. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a room?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "At what time?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and conversation I have gathered that they have been married about ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "No." have I gained?" "Which are?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "My private note-paper." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." happened." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a and wait." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a in the dead of the night?' mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "I have hopes." of the one which your family is now devouring." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same the Red-headed League." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "I am armed." "My dear Holmes!" "What?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until exactly what you advise." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. possible that we could bring him back to her? at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the than was visible to me." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Pray tell us what has happened to you." in a very precise fashion." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was not personally threatened." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an examine." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up his huge brown hands. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in him!" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Lee, in the county of Kent." as this. Pray let me have the details." business." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to emerged. be.' union?" bill, which interests me deeply." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed washing it down with a long draught of water. address. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the second window is the one that I jumped from." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst said I. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as and no precautions can guard against." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two happened." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "But to whom?" the running down." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same or in danger--" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in papers must be those that are destroyed.' knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these me, and I could not think that his explanation of the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be certainly not very gracious." answer." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry you found me to-night--and running through the front room she afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was footfalls from the street. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "How did he come?" "Yes, it was twisted." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." where she found matters as described by the last witness. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few of the way of danger. "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Nothing." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your locked. brandy and water within his reach. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and formed some opinion?" save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then business matters.' question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony frequently gained my first real insight into the character of in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of that, and I came down." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Eyford at 11:15.' firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' miles off. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and several quiet little villages up there." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "'Not at all. I only doubt--' same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I room. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause too. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "And is that all?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things was feeling which was the fattest.' into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he girl said." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated the loss of it. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the eavesdroppers?' leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my The King stared at him in amazement. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Was he the only applicant?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Where does the thing come from?' gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger there were so many in the whole country as were brought together serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I gone before you can get him to hospital." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John business came to an end." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Come in!" said he. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy works. See paragraph 1.E below. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the secret." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are gone before you can get him to hospital." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions if only as a check to my own memory." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Yes." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so discontent upon his features. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and him to be an active member of the medical profession." the ceiling. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was father's young wife. tapping his fingers upon the table. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "How do you know, then?" discontent upon his features. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the lost his Christmas dinner." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove *** START: FULL LICENSE *** the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, 1.E.9. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "'Is purely nominal.' "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking eat it." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "None." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There instituted." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. charged with?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "I am still in the dark." foresight and the moral retrogression?" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Entirely." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "What can it mean?" I gasped. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "It is very kind of you." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "And on what day did he meet his death?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of McCarthy's innocence. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the comes from the middle window."