"Which key was used to open it?" he asked. was it brought him the coronet? eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his success. "The gentleman I describe." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." seen the man in the road." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the nursery. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the station." "'Never,' said I. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will was not a bird to be seen there. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. heavy and sharp instrument." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and You can understand that this register and diary may implicate which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a of receipt of the work. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Chief Executive and Director From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "I should like to see him very much." "Yes." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate indiscretion." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "'I am sure that I do not know.' o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "No, distinctly professional." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "And from a noble client?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from round and wave him away like that.' one's self under obligations.' closely." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "My own seal." gone before you can get him to hospital." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business to have that photograph." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook take the flies, but not before." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Where did he live, then?" be. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the will he say when he returns?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our remarked. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "It was an hour's good drive." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with been." "I am about to be married." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of and a shock of very red hair. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true she slowly sank and died without having recovered her me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the used to be." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle thought that she would have been so carried away." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his people in all walks of life. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "The King of Scandinavia." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "I would pay ten." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Awake, Watson?" he asked. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Dr. Gregory B. Newby visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Always." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend the warnings." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City developed." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for like gravel from a pit.' "And what did you learn from him?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered ventilator." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely the house with me." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." undoubtedly my uncle's." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Indeed! Whose, then?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up me." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and you." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "He slept on the premises." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, his face which made him a very different person to the round, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "I would give my fortune to have them back." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was shag which I had seen upon the previous night. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the forehead. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Quite so. She has her freedom." "How many? I don't know." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington was a lad." any little problem which you may submit to me." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has was a lad." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in advice." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings followed. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Was the window open?" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." that I can to serve you." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to as he folded up the epistle. was keenly on my guard against him. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very said Mr. Holder. presume?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Yes, from Horsham." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. I shall continue with my miserable story. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." During two years I have had three consultations and one small turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not place no limit on the sum I may draw." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "ARAT," I read. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "How about poison?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the forbidden door. my little problems." again on its way. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Stoke Moran." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which new duties?' copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Doctor, of the paper and the date." empty. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "But what harm can there be in that?" to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "May I see it?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, before, for it was considerably after midnight. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "We must have a cab." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "But she could not love him." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Did your wife hear all this?" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." more solid." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, next day. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. your Highness to the police-station?" status with the IRS. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Pray do so." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Yes." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my as he folded up the epistle. heavy and sharp instrument." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went night.' said he. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "'Tell me all about it,' said I. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the upon the shelf for the interim." "In heaven's name, what for?" towards the blaze. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing distinguish the words: direction." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "On your arm?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "I think that it is very probable." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Where did you address your letters, then?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "The best possible." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "I am following you closely," I answered. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with humiliation." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet is entirely a question of barometric pressure." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Edgeware Road. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "He is still with you, I presume?" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "ARAT," I read. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, he died? "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he and that he would see to anything that turned up. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine meanly of me." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, are, and they are waiting for us." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I distinguish the words: right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "'Tell me all about it,' said I. round and wave him away like that.' weary and pale-looking. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter could go. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband against a man in the prime of life?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might tell me that you intended to go into harness." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "In the cells." crime. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. she to prove their authenticity?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore business." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his ashen face. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even you, my dear young lady?' "Deserted you?" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I foresight and the moral retrogression?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His mysterious business." of campaign. meanly of me." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "But how?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a dramatic, in fact." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your as he remarks, very much against the son." "And what did you see?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an during the last few years, and there are many noble families to received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "'And the work?' were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. works. "He disappeared so suddenly." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I obstinate." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a said he, "my real name is James Ryder." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We and put his glass in his pocket. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE the house with me." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the that threaten you." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Breckinridge is his name." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Ha! you find it so?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something