he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." photograph?" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have you in yours." have got?" to arrive at through this?" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the tapping his fingers upon the table. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the little opening for the ventilator is." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and works. See paragraph 1.E below. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "A greater distance to travel." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my fish-monger and a tide-waiter." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." business?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the washing it down with a long draught of water. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached you in yours." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "No, I think that I'll take it." "10th. John Swain cleared. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other me. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his business?" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Young McCarthy must be got off, however." entirely devoid of interest." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "My dear Holmes!" "The doctor?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the which are rolled in Rotterdam." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the unprofitable." you for a few hours?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well a monotonous occupation." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "No good news?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill been." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so writer." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is despair." ourselves in the office." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Nothing." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a secret." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a which should have the effect of calling the attention of the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Dr. Gregory B. Newby annoyance, but no jest. mystery!" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is against a man in the prime of life?" alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking any more." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to ways of our fellow-men." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his will take you up to see the machine.' "It is no ordinary one." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Yes, he did." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Yes, but only for you and me." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Why? What do you mean?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Entirely." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Very murderous indeed." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and speckled band?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Where does the thing come from?' "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, this Miss Turner." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "How long did she speak to this Alice?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all of it with the greatest attention. results." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. showing my impatience. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An distinguish the words: round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my stood on the top of it. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with I shall continue with my miserable story. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed matter." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our right! Sit down and let us talk it over." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced down from London to inquire more deeply into it." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love seen the man in the road." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "It is solved." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Was there a secret marriage?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the married her." against a man in the prime of life?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "That is not always so easy." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "'Yes, sir.' individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards again." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "VIOLET HUNTER." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "That was it, sir." to tell." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "10th. John Swain cleared. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "He is still with you, I presume?" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "You are certainly joking, Holmes." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less him and tried to hold him back. "Then I do not see the point." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of wall." in a very precise fashion." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking foresight and the moral retrogression?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from your bag." think, you have already met." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Of Friday, June 19th." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "'Then let me do so?' in the port of London." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the best of training." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "'Entirely.' never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been or in danger--" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the suddenly upon us." the driver. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his compunction about shooting them down." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Why serious?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." main points of my analysis." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an with you alone." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "No, finished." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Eyford at 11:15.' Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on know what is wrong with it.' a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring excitement. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "'Stolen!' he cried. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, bled considerably." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he as the one I chose?' have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Whose house is it?" and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my some water from a caraffe. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless young Openshaw's." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin my special province." him to be an active member of the medical profession." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long tell them apart.' the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Witness: I must still refuse. entirely lost his self-respect." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, McCarthy." your room." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if front of me. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE ventilator." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went notes," he said. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Of Friday, June 19th." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "You don't mind breaking the law?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country question. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a wall." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some you." read it out to me." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "The King of Scandinavia." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered stood on the top of it. "My dear Holmes!" "And how in the world did you find them?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up my friend's incisive reasoning. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found and effective." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "What steps will you take?" I asked. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "I see no marks." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. you?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. relief. straighten it?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Why? What do you mean?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "So it appears." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Your sister is dead, then?" once more to my work. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your bird of prey. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery and files of the old papers, following the future career of every populous neighbourhood." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "I assure you that I am in your hands." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," to a more successful conclusion." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense out of this horrible affair." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the attention." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Holmes' face clouded over. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice rooms." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of if she died from some sudden fright." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen a monotonous occupation." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. whether it answered to the description of any of their horse could go." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional