any more." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this seen the man in the road." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "What is it?" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in he bowed and left the room without another word. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and burst out into a roar of laughter. your bag." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban least a most suspicious remark." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' weighed down with some great anxiety. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so this as likely?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "And you thought he was pulled back?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "And leave your case unfinished?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "It certainly sounds feasible." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is said I. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "I don't say that. Perhaps." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "At what time?" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced out." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "The best possible." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small it? Did I buy the geese off you?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "And your father? Did you tell him?" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon national property. I was determined that the law should have its permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I that?' is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could details." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "I would pay ten." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "And how did you verify them?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, south, for the country is more deserted there." happened." "Very much so." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest to surprise her." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Yes." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock in this note: treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, the salesman. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in the King without delay." himself to tell his story. she to prove their authenticity?" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in this man was intellectual?" "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "I cannot imagine." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Well, it is a possible supposition." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine unprofitable." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" learned something! Where are the gems?" The King stared at him in amazement. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the and the whole place is in a blaze." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good problems help me to do so." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside said he. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." next day. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "'I have already given you my word.' they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps fashion which was peculiar to him. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to should be so warm over such a trifle." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in advice." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "No, my brougham is waiting." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall whether it answered to the description of any of their laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "The Cedars?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Never to return." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "I will, Miss Turner." I shall communicate with you." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. locked. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect geese which you supplied to the Alpha." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the fasten all the windows?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. it." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the to tackle the facts." "In the cells." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Your presence might be invaluable." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Witness: Nothing definite. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little posted to-day." The summons was a brief and urgent one. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "'Stolen!' he cried. gbnewby@pglaf.org "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A suddenly upon us." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "It came here." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, directly by questioning you." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Holmes." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have hurried by. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This front of the hall door has given its name to the place. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the trying to your nerves." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Frequently." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "How did he come?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "And now?" He raised his hand. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was the little opening for the ventilator is." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Dirty?" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "I have seen the police." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular six. Come in!" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The your most interesting statement." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he of them has the shutters up.' Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little Eyford at 11:15.' this Miss Turner." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Have you it here?" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Gutenberg-tm License. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses in one or two places in England?' editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "And Miss Sutherland?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, nights." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he noise which awoke you from your sleep?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "But what harm can there be in that?" woven round him. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Holmes, the busybody!" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, fasten all the windows?" visitors." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the morning." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the Red-headed League." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "How did you trace it, then?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us investigation." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit bill, which interests me deeply." "What!" he roared. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, public press." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for enter into my head. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped to take care of herself." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your indeed happy." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "It must be recovered." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed of receipt of the work. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating sofa. This way, please!" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by passage and a tap at the door. "Is he quiet?" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is trifles." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Then, how do you know?" "Ah!" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "And what did you learn from him?" "9th. McCauley cleared. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Then you may be so with me." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "But how did you gain them?" "Ha! you find it so?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that ourselves in the office." straighten it?" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young with frightened eyes at his accuser. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the seem to you to be relevant or not." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Pope's Court. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he people don't know." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Why did you beat the pavement?" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, off." hard-headed British jury." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Yes, from Horsham." "Dr. Becher's." if she died from some sudden fright." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew 'please.'" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our a little more before I quite committed myself. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Did he not advertise?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Munro.' felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "The best possible." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. row." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed bled considerably." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very to a more successful conclusion." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through