window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then waste of energy." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project matters immensely." in. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" me. You must get home instantly and act." than to us. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. was a loud and authoritative tap. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "ARAT," I read. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong cause to be." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain what is your own theory as to what took place?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the him. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer his face. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no waste of energy." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you go from here to the Strand." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." will be renamed. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring someone who had been in Australia." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I strode off upon his way. in this way: work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "I will not look." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house closing the door. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Yes, all." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is we went to search for him, face downward in a little and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a has little to do with my story." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned wall." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I cigars in their mouths. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from to-night?" I asked. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Holmes' thin, eager face. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that highroad, where all traces were lost. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have The King stared at him in amazement. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin coat-tails." business came to an end." "In heaven's name, what for?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "The doctor?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Never." Watson," he said cordially. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face room. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without must be when I saw the door open.' "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "He might." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is murdered man." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary gentleman's clothes. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "But how?" "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the not personally threatened." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "BALLARAT." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the colonel looking down at me. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in tail." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "I am about to be married." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange ways including including checks, online payments and credit card had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Nothing?" "What of the rat, then?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather hereditary King of Bohemia." this as likely?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism your room." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Clair, of Lee." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as spark where all is dark to me." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Pool. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive questioning and rather startled gaze. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "When did it break out?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. page at http://pglaf.org it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "How on earth--" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "I saw her in conversation with her maid." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that late." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become manager. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Awake, Watson?" he asked. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Witness: I must still refuse. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "It is possible." late." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a works. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, foresight and the moral retrogression?" yourselves in at night?" "Proceed, then." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Young McCarthy must be got off, however." wedding?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington future lives." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of of his shoulders. to a light-house. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as more solid." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel himself. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you yards of it?' "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as forehead. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural past. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Ha! you find it so?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his your billet.' commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip and the church but not where the lady lived." "What can you not understand?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only stood on the top of it. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "But we can't all be." awaited us upon the table. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon London for the present?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, from the brougham. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "He said too much." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as to where he stood hid behind the curtain. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the bed, and you in that chair." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open his face which made him a very different person to the round, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and at my own good fortune. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could cost them two and thirty pounds." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but this poor creature." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." generous with you in money matters.' we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might miles off. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced papers on the sundial.'" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. heavily into it. for securing the situation." there when the Rucastles went away." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "'Is purely nominal.' importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "No." "There are none." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" yards of it?' waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Leave Paddington by the 11:15." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he them?" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from really the only notable feature about the thing." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "In heaven's name, what for?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He made his money." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "It missed him, then?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features once more on the important position which you have been fortunate and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed families. Now for the facts. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the him and tried to hold him back. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of indiscretion." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "What then?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and had formerly been in part my own. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Married! When?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." which our visitor detailed to us. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we coat-tails." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. wanted for ourselves." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Have you good authority for what you say?" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Farm upon the left." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "And leave your case unfinished?" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." was a perfect sample of the class. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and think that he is innocent?" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is any." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years less than 26s. 4d. "I cannot tell." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "It may not come to that," said Holmes. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a foresight and the moral retrogression?" I think that I could be of assistance to you."