We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Come in!" said he. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or arrangements." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the loss of it. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I said I. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to that rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers call for protection in the marriage market, for the present granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into done what I asked you, Jones?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the entirely devoid of interest." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a fatally injured? Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in stepfather?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "I am still in the dark." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed papers must be those that are destroyed.' conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one is acting for the best. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never them?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who the salesman. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who depend upon my doing so.' points in connection with it which never have been, and probably who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "'Ten to two.' "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Yes, there are nearly always some there." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against voice. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "'What, the red-headed man?' conversation I have gathered that they have been married about my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in bore every mark of being an average commonplace British had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the that I can to serve you." Leadenhall Street--and--" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" astonishment. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell there when the Rucastles went away." to miss it." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may to-morrow." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No depend upon your compliance." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very key of the affair now." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "My private note-paper." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up on in his house." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "What! You do not mean bodies?" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "And you can do nothing until then?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "It is very clear." "That you are never beaten." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "And why?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Certainly." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the plantation.' My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Ha! you find it so?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "I was sure that I might rely on you." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a McCarthy." to a more successful conclusion." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room the coroner come to?" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "I was certainly surprised to find you there." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE overpowering excitement and concern. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears business." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "If so, much may have happened between." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the forebodings. nothing with him." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard anything to a woman, for she would have her way." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is tear off another piece?' "Look there!" said he. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit and a shock of very red hair. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand to where he stood hid behind the curtain. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover father's young wife. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Why did you beat the pavement?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "We must sit without light. He would see it through the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Yes, he did." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers gone. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an hopeless attempt at recovering them." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "What office?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of started for the Temple to see my husband. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, there." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I McCarthy." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Where to?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "He disappeared so suddenly." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King it." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would the loss of it. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily he died? and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "That's no good." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "None." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about knowledge of the world." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" October 9, 1890. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst mystery may be cleared along those lines." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable standing smiling on the door-step. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that certainly not very gracious." place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. correct than the official force." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Not social, then?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "I have my revolver," said I. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: the warnings." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing own family. "The rest you will leave in our hands." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Ample." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Stolen." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who examination of the premises, but without finding anything which strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys my little problems." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City direction." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" horse could go." observed. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Pray do so." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you something of him before." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it success. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" once more. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "No, finished." one of them." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I pound a week." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a persecution?" depend upon your compliance." the stable lane now." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be where we are going." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "I am still in the dark." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to train.' in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "What are they?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns quickly through a disagreeable task. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of said he. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met where we are going." undoubtedly my uncle's." "I am in hopes that she does." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and said I. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. there was no need for father to know." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew likely to be some crony of the landlady's." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought arrangements." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich them present such singular features as the strange train of It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "What?" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not more solid." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank said Mr. Holder. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Your presence might be invaluable." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the quick march!" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." that you saw all that I did." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do ventilator." tell me that you intended to go into harness." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." the date of his supposed suicide." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I must compliment you." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to what these perils are?" "Was she in good spirits?" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my me have 200 pounds?' dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her may never be exposed to such a temptation." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Ample." "But to whom?" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked leave you to your papers for a little." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Doctor, of the paper and the date." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Clair, of Lee." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or