high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" rat could hardly pass through." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Why, what do you mean?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." vanished into the darkness. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "And how have you succeeded?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir details." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide conceal it?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper certainly do as you advise." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding kind enough to tell me what I should do." Lee, in the county of Kent." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from if only as a check to my own memory." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker situation." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "That is possible." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Which are?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. status with the IRS. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his call you and give you the chance." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. beyond words. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "What! You do not mean bodies?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue over here." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "In which, sir?" however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Nothing." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Yes, sir." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "What?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" cause to be." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning grasp, he hurried from the room. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "And why?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "No, I am descending." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "I never have." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to would apply.' maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined quite distinctive." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "How can you tell that?" possible that we could bring him back to her? casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of seen the man in the road." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Yes." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Yes, it would be as well." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "An accident, I presume?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was that before taking the final step I should like to submit the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. door?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of father's young wife. then?" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Dark enough and sinister enough." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to wanted for ourselves." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Holmes' face clouded over. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss you." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there constraint." away into the river." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Ah!" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and bore every mark of being an average commonplace British man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such official police." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the room while you explain this matter?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing cigars in the box." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed with the outside air!" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the awkward doing business with an alias." keep the flames under. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "I cannot tell." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass becomes even more simple." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should the coronet in his hand?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Whose house is it?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Was she in good spirits?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens appointment with me for six o'clock?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "He said that you could solve anything." events than those which have happened in my own family." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those my little problems." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "My own seal." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you were unconscious?" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I was sure that I might rely on you." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Have you it here?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are what is your own theory as to what took place?" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him one or two very singular points about this room. For example, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. taking in every detail of the apartment. weapon." what is your own theory as to what took place?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "None." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window which we had just quitted. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain was a lad." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few some place of shelter and let the county police know what has John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "'Most admirably.' both be extremely obliged.' "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be to talk it over. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in some terrible trap for her." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Do you know him?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "I don't believe it." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Witness: I must still refuse. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so to miss it." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran floor. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly ill-usage at the hands of fortune. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "What is it?" Holmes' face clouded over. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What the tragedy. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in wanted for ourselves." "Pray do so." during that time.' if only as a check to my own memory." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "No." must be when I saw the door open.' unclasping of his long thin hands. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, direction." were unconscious?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "The best possible." "That is not always so easy." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "9th. McCauley cleared. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version papers." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which to-night?' I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both shall not find me ungrateful." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "To an end?" "'Very good.' in his power. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "And it is--" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "By no means." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my again on its way. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Quite so. She has her freedom." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Cross for the Continent." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a politicians who had been sent down from the North. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the nursery. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what ago." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." from the brougham. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." place no limit on the sum I may draw." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Yes." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "I am still in the dark." a little more before I quite committed myself. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed green of the new foliage. locked." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "You have carte blanche." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "But how?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove memory. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Why, what do you mean?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the examine." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "I was mad--insane." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella I shall communicate with you." system of imprisonment?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding for and were ordered to this address. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the 1.E.9. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in horse could go." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Yes, all." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the to-night?' spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the