would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the which was all perfectly true. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "And your mother is alive?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They made his money." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably carpenter." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he weary and pale-looking. suddenly upon us." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "That is it on the dressing-table." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, dates and names. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "When did it break out?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered I shall communicate with you." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was fishes. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am American. Then who could this American be, and why should he white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the weighed down with some great anxiety. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few James Windibank. Voilà tout!" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or existence." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my forecastle of an emigrant ship. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "It certainly sounds feasible." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able feature." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and take the flies, but not before." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, hurried by. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "That also I could fathom." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed examination of the premises, but without finding anything which for and were ordered to this address. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which orange pips. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the back to my heart. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" he. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to some mystery and the punishment of some crime." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and vague figure huddled up in the darkness. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Doctor, of the paper and the date." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Sutherland. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I written. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, families. Now for the facts. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his too. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from astonishment. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the them?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately situation." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. During two years I have had three consultations and one small and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. purpose of examination. are windows in it, of course?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Dr. Gregory B. Newby had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "The rest you will leave in our hands." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another as he remarks, very much against the son." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east miles off. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "I cannot tell." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She any more." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Won't it ring?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of for its centre. "Certainly." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works green of the new foliage. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Where did you address your letters, then?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You begun to whiten, even as mine has." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Foundation Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "I am in hopes that she does." tear off another piece?' I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at made him keep the appointment." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you lamp. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "What steps will you take?" I asked. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." ventilator." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. when you have done it." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Stoke Moran?" said he. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last spare." "'Yes.' sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have and no precautions can guard against." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the even so self-evident a thing as that." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and where Mr. Fordham shows you.' three fields round his house, and there he would take his we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped other, as fresh and trim as possible. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "What I expected to see." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Yes, certainly." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Witness: I must still refuse. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. more solid." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Yes." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I despaired of." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "There are none." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew bearing upon the case." chambers. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "I don't believe it." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen in his hands." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the upon an income of about 60 pounds." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy you." I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he would apply.' the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed giving me time to thank him. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I chance." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the some water from a caraffe. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." how narrow had been my escape. "Did your wife hear all this?" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked little adventures." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. you?' This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, upon a handsome competence. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among man. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a notes," he said. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" have been better. It is all right." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. recover the gem." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have look dissatisfied." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman cost them two and thirty pounds." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young ways of our fellow-men." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready green of the new foliage. "And the cigar-holder?" does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did outside." here and I will read it to you: complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. she might be summoned. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have do.' recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "'Ample.' "What! a murderous attack?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which door?" Literary Archive Foundation be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned always that they were such commands as a lady might with foot. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and friend's singular character. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who orange pips. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. window when the police appeared." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." chance." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "'I am sure that I do not know.' Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "About a month then." spark where all is dark to me." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the sufficient punishment." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy