jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "My dear Holmes!" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the following enigmatical notices: "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the becomes even more simple." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "That is it on the dressing-table." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Awake, Watson?" he asked. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without only touch the interest." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Witness: I must still refuse. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing place, I think that there is good ground to think that the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be outside." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a ceremony." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was advice." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without lost nothing by them." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid deduce something from that?" Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Does that suggest anything?" waste of energy." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Not particularly." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the coronet in his hand?" thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer call for it in person on Monday morning.' been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste me, and I could not think that his explanation of the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "You did not overhear what they said?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "On Monday." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "It looks newer than the other things?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "My dear Holmes!" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get lids now and glanced across at his visitor. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a and files of the old papers, following the future career of every than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the this poor creature." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "The King of Scandinavia." "On Monday." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to at once, for I have only half an hour." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "To an English lawyer named Norton." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to asked. there in twenty minutes." been with you?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Leadenhall Street--and--" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and reach." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were unclasping of his long thin hands. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest recall any case within my experience which looked at the first Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "I should like to see him very much." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. presented more singular features than that which was associated "None." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "You have but to name it." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the electronic works matters immensely." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been morning." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "The vanishing of the lady." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the unkempt, staring out at me. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Clair, of Lee." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" laugh and put his lips to my ear. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. long narrative. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "That you are never beaten." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was gives a meaning to it." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the said I. drove away. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over whether it answered to the description of any of their than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and the iron safe, which he closed upon it. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Yes, at the mines." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Not yet." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "And is that all?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting floor. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to case before our client came into the room." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. he died? "Who by?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as fait accompli?" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late drove away. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my weary and pale-looking. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her advice." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and room. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or see a sister of mine apply for." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is was a lad." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been to have that photograph." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "How did you trace it, then?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Yes, all." fat-encircled eyes. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious of the one which your family is now devouring." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Well, some hundreds of times." all?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "None." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my upon an income of about 60 pounds." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Oh, the cause is excellent!" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "I beg pardon." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Witness: Nothing definite. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "It is no ordinary one." delirious. Sutherland. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe fire. You quite follow me?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "And leave your case unfinished?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" all-comprehensive glances. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the leave you to your papers for a little." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "It is to him that this trophy belongs." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "'Very good.' About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." I leave." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "But what is it you wish?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "And I to find an enemy." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's voice, changing her seat as requested. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask where Mr. Fordham shows you.' often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See chambers. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "No." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "'In my own bureau.' "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should tear off another piece?' made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "'Tell me all about it,' said I. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Do you know him?" which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "You are certainly joking, Holmes." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Upon what point?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Where to?" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever pound a week." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "I know where it is." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "An enemy?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were breakfast?" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Pray do so." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never to affect your life." again on its way. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so hour." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Well?" gone before you can get him to hospital." would apply.' "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or vanished into the darkness. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your clang of the bell. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her for and were ordered to this address. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most once more for Briony Lodge. "Yes." "Not yet." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Stolen, then." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate murdered man." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Well?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" over with notes and figures. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "I am to be neutral?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to