Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had followed. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "'Not at all. I only doubt--' half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall served to weaken the effect. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in whole matter to your consideration." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez this remarkable episode. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "By no means." Pool. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening my secret was safe in his possession. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the tear off another piece?' In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "The King of Scandinavia." "'You cannot say what it was?' gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "In heaven's name, what for?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. with you alone." most interesting one." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of just ask you whether you had heard it.' there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great she used." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really unprofitable." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they I nodded again. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Yes, certainly." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner the stable lane now." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon to a more successful conclusion." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a absolutely follow my advice in every respect." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "You have it, sir, just as it happened." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "No." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "VIOLET HUNTER." strode off upon his way. Surrey." "About a month then." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if emerged. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' and the church but not where the lady lived." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious constraint." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, waste of energy." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Yes, I have one waiting." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America right! Sit down and let us talk it over." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "And for present expenses?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "You were travelling in the States?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "What then?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself even of instruction." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "And now?" He raised his hand. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "I will not look." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "'A dozen yards or so.' "I am all attention, madam." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "In answer to an advertisement." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is strength." for and were ordered to this address. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "You heard nothing yourself last night?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which depend upon your compliance." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while most interesting one." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to the date of his supposed suicide." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he be there in time for your coming." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "'Which dealer's?' "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are be sorry for having acted so harshly." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "The landlord of the Alpha." "'Why that?' I asks. Street. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this good-night and bustled off upon her way. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual in one or two places in England?' at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal there is a decided draught." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your outside." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face DAMAGE. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. later, upon the night of May 2nd." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "'Never.' "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Nothing." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No business matters.' "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "'Entirely.' "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. of it with the greatest attention. late." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white floor. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" distinguish the words: "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who over here." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Was your sister dressed?" do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the morning." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Holmes rather sternly. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. go--none." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Only as much as we can deduce." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar do.' been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "There are none." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I guessed as much." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I This is what he says: all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this upon the shelf for the interim." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he there were so many in the whole country as were brought together instincts rose up against that laugh. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "You are certainly joking, Holmes." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Which surely he restored to their owner?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "You have a clue?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Was there a secret marriage?" compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any showing my impatience. Sutherland?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know once more for Briony Lodge. "Why, what do you mean?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The page at http://pglaf.org "'Is purely nominal.' a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful you do it in twenty minutes!' grasp, he hurried from the room. danger is over." the devil!" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled late." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "'Is purely nominal.' his eyes and forehead. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Married! When?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was little adventures." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar how narrow had been my escape. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness over part of the map. "What do you read?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, next day. the bed, and you in that chair." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her careless servant girl?" to miss it." "Thank you. Pray proceed." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I knowledge of the world." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's views." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Sutherland?" "And how have you succeeded?" feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "What office?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Yes, they were peculiar boots." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." than to us. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "How did that help you?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "And from a noble client?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it his face. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Where, then, is my wife?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Yes." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, seem to you to be relevant or not." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "By all means." hurried away. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds imbecility!" he cried. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come pierced for earrings?" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Then, as to money?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of there in twenty minutes." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a strange features which were associated with the two crimes which twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten address. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." pound a week." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was it with his own hands." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Whose house is it?" have been better. It is all right." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "You heard nothing yourself last night?"