"But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "The gentleman I describe." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Yes." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "'What, the red-headed man?' some city in a dream. upon the sideboard." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "That is it on the dressing-table." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Perfectly so." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened little trying to do so much typewriting?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in new duties?' and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps 1.F. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster him nearly every evening." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country British peeress.'" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our and looked back. bears upon the case?" agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I asked. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "To ruin me." paper in the air. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this most interesting one." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "But your client--" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 the house with me." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress highly," said Holmes. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "'I shall certainly be there.' for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the jewels which you have stolen?' "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. crackling voice. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are crime." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "I have hopes." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "But you have hopes?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for and wait." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too hard-headed British jury." "Not in a good cause." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my me upon any point which I do not make clear." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all himself in a perplexing position. be. carriage. It was a chestnut." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "And I say east," said my patient. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "What then?" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "'Tell me all about it,' said I. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "And what did you learn from him?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was that?' legal crime." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' call you and give you the chance." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "'Where to?' for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That had this final quarrel? The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements wedding?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' *** START: FULL LICENSE *** breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the you?' there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do see me here to avoid scandal." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a flock.' I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots breakfast." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Your French gold?" rose-bushes. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by when you have done it." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never you for a few hours?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off a suggestive one." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Very much so." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each business?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how said he, "my real name is James Ryder." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman placed his cuttings. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "If so, much may have happened between." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can written. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a experiences." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Certainly." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. anything to do with the matter?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "It came here." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "But of what society?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the little opening for the ventilator is." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he third from London." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Yes." hard-headed British jury." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and for its centre. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "'Stolen!' he cried. legal crime." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If forehead. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, your billet.' as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora never came back." remarked. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "And how?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the room while you explain this matter?" "Witness: I must still refuse. "In the cells." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are directors have had misgivings upon the subject." events than those which have happened in my own family." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Not in the least." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that bled considerably." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still will not take me long to tell. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf directly by questioning you." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her 1.F. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As of fine shops and stately business premises that they really hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "ARAT," I read. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our me what he had done with the three missing stones. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited followed. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. she might be summoned. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "I am still in the dark." "Always." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. gone before you can get him to hospital." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the south-west, I see." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Entirely." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying not within a twentieth part of the market price." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical true." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he vault. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a to his chemical studies. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Of what day?" unclasping of his long thin hands. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an thin legs towards the fire. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Was she in good spirits?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of do you make of it all?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, for securing the situation." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church spare." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an vanished into the darkness. persecution?" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes had a long day." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. that?' this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it prisoner's face. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these in the dead of the night?' upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "I cannot tell." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue nice household for a young lady." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "BALLARAT." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each ventilator." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was helping a boy to put up the shutters. "He disappeared so suddenly." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my which was all perfectly true. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to galvanised. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Pray continue your narrative." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with client, rising. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Which are?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." nothing with him." awaited us upon the table. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become such person." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall matter over." him nearly every evening." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "But his left-handedness." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me.