and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. chill to my heart. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means if only as a check to my own memory." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the washing it down with a long draught of water. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf you in yours." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and went to the Alpha were town bred." fait accompli?" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which the address that was given us in the advertisement. house for five minutes.' the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Do you receive much company?" he asked. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' and all of them with the keenest interest. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Certainly." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "I will try. What is it?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in there were so many in the whole country as were brought together see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. instituted." pictures, libraries, or plate. Street. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Was he the only applicant?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A conduct the inquiry." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "His face fell immediately. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing it means?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." the loss of it. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, IS ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "That sounds a little paradoxical." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat gigantic client. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper meant." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "And for present expenses?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Awake, Watson?" he asked. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Yes, only one." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall that you can jump it.' more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "What then?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Cross for the Continent." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since felt?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by The events in question occurred in the early days of my There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled this poor creature." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious I shall communicate with you." "Then I do not see the point." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "You think so, too?" "I think it very unlikely." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "It looks newer than the other things?" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but that the gas is not laid on in his house?" important." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "An enemy?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the noting anything else of interest. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Yes, but only for you and me." "This photograph!" "Will you go?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, already been minutely examined." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Stolen." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down once more. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "'What, the red-headed man?' matter." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not way: be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he several quiet little villages up there." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in James Windibank. Voilà tout!" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client front of me. again, where I was soon asleep. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Well, but China?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic points in connection with it which never have been, and probably but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to one which it was hard to resist. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "I see many objections to any such theory." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the on re-entering her father's house?" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "But how did you gain them?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of late." may have an influence upon European history." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's secret." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps stood on the top of it. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' it." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "I cannot tell." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to entirely devoid of interest." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that there has been an enclosure here!" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to you?' "Not I." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "But we can't all be." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see to a light-house. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Yes." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has It may be so in this case, also." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "VIOLET HUNTER." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air have an American origin." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." what these perils are?" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands already referred to. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. cup of tea. "Yes, sir." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" less than 26s. 4d. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are his face which made him a very different person to the round, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous people don't know." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were least a most suspicious remark." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the to-night?' the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H and looked back. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa helping a boy to put up the shutters. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By http://www.gutenberg.net shag which I had seen upon the previous night. fishes. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw had this final quarrel? "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of she might be summoned. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I could not account in any way for the presence of the missing hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note London for the present?" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should ways of our fellow-men." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him sooner or later she must fall a victim. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into meant it for the best. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "That also I could fathom." "And what then?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "I fear not." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for annoyance, but no jest. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was business at Coburg Square is serious." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in drawing your inferences." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which crime." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Sutherland. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of I was concerned in it." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle sit on the left-hand side of the driver." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come lamp in his hand. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." remarked. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in and shall probably return to London by the evening train." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Now, then, what's the last entry?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "That is possible." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "You are hungry," I remarked. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of crime. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last relief. "I have my revolver," said I. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning gives a meaning to it." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "He disappeared so suddenly." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the photograph a cabinet?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "What can it mean?" I gasped. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "None. Neville wrote those words." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Not particularly." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Where, indeed?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found the Red-headed League." "Indeed! Whose, then?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "How did that help you?" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to