across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is house for five minutes.' resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of than to us. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying you came in." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "No." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he in darkness. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point lids now and glanced across at his visitor. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "I don't say that. Perhaps." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London grasp, he hurried from the room. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little mysterious end." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he handed it to him. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you likely to be some crony of the landlady's." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my lumber-room." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. ventilator." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I putting in the horse. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "What do you mean?" carpenter." which was all perfectly true. "And you thought he was pulled back?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "I will do it." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by so far?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. a suggestive one." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible said Mr. Holder. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Certainly." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. shoulder. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I own family. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the papers." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four get the tickets." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Holmes rather sternly. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "'Why that?' I asks. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see believe that I should never have any practice at all. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect go--none." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "None." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "And why?" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which derbies." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the Assizes." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he look upon these things in a different way." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." legal crime." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Quite so. She has her freedom." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately him!" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle I have it here in my museum." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible to-morrow." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Count Von Kramm." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Married! When?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Holmes." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she morning." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in new acquaintance to Baker Street. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Game for a morning drive?" over with notes and figures. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." salesman. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Yes." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was papers." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little question you as to those details which seem to me to be most until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been be there in time for your coming." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "That is unusual in a young girl." "Her father is very rich?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would was used.' reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss bill, which interests me deeply." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Sutherland. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to prison!" cup of tea. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were in the hope of finding them." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little dramatic, in fact." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret wedding?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, extraordinary contortions. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." when your master had gone out." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" to-night's adventure." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found fait accompli?" unprecedented a position." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent at once, for I have only half an hour." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice events than those which have happened in my own family." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before think that any burglar could have done. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for weigh very heavily upon my conscience." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls breakfast and whispered something to her husband. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Yes, from Horsham." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" a room. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we I shall continue with my miserable story. presented more singular features than that which was associated had formerly been in part my own. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my was once confined in the cab my mission was practically before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "The gentleman I describe." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the running down." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed quickly through a disagreeable task. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my over part of the map. "What do you read?" imbecility!" he cried. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally question you as to those details which seem to me to be most instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "But the mystery?" "I think that it is very probable." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "If I can be of use." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may what these perils are?" the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "And you don't know his address?" affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not questionable one." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "I cannot tell." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. go--none." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "I cannot think." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I is four-and-twenty." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be wife's character?" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "You have a clue?" one of the states of the Union." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which were new raised from a basin. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Nothing." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I tell me that you intended to go into harness." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it there when the Rucastles went away." "None." "Yes." society." "Precisely so. But how--" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A know what is wrong with it.' as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a I. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with shaken than I had ever seen him. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way it right.' was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern feature." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay do." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which it? Did I buy the geese off you?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his him to be an active member of the medical profession." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the events, Mr. Windibank!" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and a room. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. furiously. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 asked with his eyes open. "It certainly sounds feasible." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as me upon any point which I do not make clear." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "I should wish to." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap the window, rose as we entered. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "'Certainly not. But why?' "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Watson," he said cordially. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "'And what are they worth?' I asked. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE fish-monger and a tide-waiter."