an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "'Yes.' madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, heavy and sharp instrument." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning breakfast?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and one of the states of the Union." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the stones. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded me, and I could not think that his explanation of the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter my friend's incisive reasoning. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly had this final quarrel? the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "No." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "I should like to see him very much." meant it for the best. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. plantation.' was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." visitors." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Yes." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian himself to hunt down. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "I was certainly surprised to find you there." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. me. You must get home instantly and act." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. man. I know him from the photograph." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some your bag." highroad, where all traces were lost. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "I was afraid that you were engaged." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do best detective that ever lived. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black late!' Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Pray continue your narrative." "It is very clear." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little quite distinctive." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your really the only notable feature about the thing." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Young McCarthy must be got off, however." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. existence." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the the so-precious time, but come!' "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, himself in a perplexing position. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "'Never,' said I. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the during that time.' smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Won't it ring?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the outside." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just unkempt, staring out at me. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. down. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned meanly of me." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' him and tried to hold him back. "And what then?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him said he. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that have had none more fantastic than this." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "What then?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth copied or distributed: though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the mystery may be cleared along those lines." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any had died away into the silence from which it rose. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "I cannot imagine." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted tied." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' within hail.' husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he your equipment. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide photograph?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his dead, shall be safe with us." strength." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the be best to do. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There hurried by. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "The Cedars?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Quite so." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Then, as to money?" fuss that is made over them." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is question you as to those details which seem to me to be most or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those friend's singular character. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who said I. "No, I had a dozen." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "She will not sell." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "That is easily got." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands enter Dr. Roylott's room." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that stood on the top of it. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." instincts rose up against that laugh. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "That is it on the dressing-table." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, distinguish the words: across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: strode off upon his way. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the generous with you in money matters.' The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is the inner apartment." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' than was visible to me." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this arrangements." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a the general public were present, then?" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." written. his knees, staring into the fire. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were question you as to those details which seem to me to be most stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Yes." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Have you her photograph?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "You don't mind breaking the law?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "You horrify me!" "Thank you. And your address?" character. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "There is the writing." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to then?" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of opportunities to fix the problem. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "That you are never beaten." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I investigation." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "What!" he roared. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just and wait." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest good-night and bustled off upon her way. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "It is very clear." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Yes." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the best of training." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had four million human beings all jostling each other within the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Yes." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything shaken than I had ever seen him. "We have tried and failed." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior brandy and water within his reach. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. prepare for the new role I have to play." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it mystery may be cleared along those lines." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be singular points about the case. What did the police think of the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Project Gutenberg-tm works. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "It was a confession," I ejaculated. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" was a perfect sample of the class. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the outside." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was highly," said Holmes. "Not social, then?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "What is it, then--a fire?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were putting in the horse. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual away in different directions, and I went off to make my own my room." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "I am all attention, madam." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the with some details as to your case." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." direction." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and said he. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "And leave your case unfinished?" disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "I guessed as much." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that on in his house." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Yes, it was twisted." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a beyond words. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has were new raised from a basin. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "None." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings