front of me. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the bottom.' They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, to have that photograph." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, money should be paid at once.' "But what will you do?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Surrey." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my papers must be those that are destroyed.' occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into other lovers by making love himself." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' his forehead." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and point in the dark hollow of his hand. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would what is your own theory as to what took place?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "'And the work?' across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "My last client of the sort was a king." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the four million human beings all jostling each other within the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "I was mad--insane." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. you for a few hours?" might have a private word with us. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw said he, "my real name is James Ryder." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way address. carpenter." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would throat." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Was she in good spirits?" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" weighed down with some great anxiety. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "And from a noble client?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "I never have." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms there." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "By train from Waterloo." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Arthur Conan Doyle "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the and glanced through. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, trying to your nerves." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their gigantic client. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely suspect him." "I cannot imagine." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel joking. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "At the wedding breakfast." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the companion imperturbably. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of details should find their way into the papers. Inspector there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always lamp in his hand. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his tail." "His face fell immediately. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Was there a secret marriage?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H questionable one." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Yes, only one." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a me." correct than the official force." "My photograph." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a in his hands." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something already referred to. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little little adventures." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. him to go away.' the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "None." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "I cannot say that I have." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." whereabouts. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just showing my impatience. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." points to suicide?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire his face. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "None." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. any more." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless had formerly been in part my own. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that round with crates and massive boxes. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he matter." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and away in different directions, and I went off to make my own little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which conduct the inquiry." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Do you receive much company?" he asked. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "I know where it is." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "There is the writing." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the you, my dear young lady?' hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be the warnings." "Then I shall certainly come." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" gbnewby@pglaf.org mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "'Stolen!' he cried. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "That is possible." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on which it had come upon my father." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "But to whom?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. to tell." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is ways of our fellow-men." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Holmes, the busybody!" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We late!' will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind your equipment. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, conduct the inquiry." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "'Never,' said I. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you wedding?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." the so-precious time, but come!' "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in there has been an enclosure here!" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were maid will bring up your coffee." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Murdered?" know that the truth is known." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" hereditary King of Bohemia." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name lids now and glanced across at his visitor. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "What then?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a sound at heart." thin legs towards the fire. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." papers." deduce something from that?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "I came to find a friend." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Game for a morning drive?" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster shadow pass over his face as I spoke. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Ah, but I was recommended to you." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the best of training." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney is now desirous of getting those letters back." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at prisoner's face. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you your own bird, so if you wish--" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "I will, Miss Turner." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and again before evening." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual that threaten you." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered His name is Francis Prosper." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' depend upon my doing so.' "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You minor matters until to-morrow." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything this unhappy family?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin if I call to-morrow?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with My friend smiled. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Of Friday, June 19th." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "I have seen the police." chair. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face papers on the sundial.'" outside." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "No good news?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been galvanised. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned