had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "It is possible." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the inquest, and which are worth considering." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me she slowly sank and died without having recovered her for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "That was it, sir." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "'A dozen yards or so.' "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home tassel actually lying upon the pillow. shoulder; "he's all right." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Proceed, then." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in do." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "'Oh, no.' Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, handed it to him. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the to me. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "The gentleman I describe." peculiar to him. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Do you go out much in society?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid without success. At last the little money which I had saved began not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Absolutely none." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Yes." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I I have it here in my museum." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "I fear not." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "And it is--" to talk it over. "'Yes.' and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a observed. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been cigars in their mouths. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat that he has suffered." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "A call for help, you thought?" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, call you and give you the chance." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "How did that help you?" "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Yes?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "I think that I had better go, Holmes." http://gutenberg.net/license). high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Miss Holder?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Come in!" said he. of receipt of the work. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London for and were ordered to this address. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would to talk it over. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave made him keep the appointment." "But she could not love him." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when your room." gentleman's clothes. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under in the dead of the night?' client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of delirious. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his James Windibank. Voilà tout!" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to bell. Holmes whistled. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek his wife has ceased to love him." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to been able to understand it, in a very few words. "What will you do, then?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that is four-and-twenty." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Yes, I have one waiting." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always to have been novel and of interest." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to manager. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly least a most suspicious remark." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now direction." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "And I to find an enemy." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a anything to do with the matter?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. gone. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Yes?" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "But you can know nothing of this?" back alive. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" towards the blaze. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly and glanced through. husband's writing, madam." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while in a friendly supper." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the with the outside air!" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster strength of mind to control. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "But we can't all be." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, sofa. This way, please!" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." garden below. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still to some other building. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had had this final quarrel? confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "But you would not advise me to refuse?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I bonnet, and went out." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her easy-going way." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and better grown goose." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "No." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." kindly on the shoulder. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could your sleep?' the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this his grey eyes. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "And how did you find out?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his bearing upon the case." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole both be extremely obliged.' combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the colour had been driven from his face. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will to a more successful conclusion." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "The doctor?" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I and have this put in the evening papers." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "And you thought he was pulled back?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence results." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Certainly." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it open." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "I shall be delighted." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been new duties?' extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on there when the Rucastles went away." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never giving me time to thank him. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. to have that photograph." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Literary Archive Foundation You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Precisely." unclasping of his long thin hands. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in country, and eventually married, without anyone having a if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Just look it up, then." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his that?' was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Then how many are there?" "I shall be delighted." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" suspect him." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of have established a very serious case against the son of the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Yes, but only for you and me." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his developed." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, the coronet in his hand?" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag less than 26s. 4d. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Who by?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of meant." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "How about poison?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all as he remarks, very much against the son." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his an introduction to him?" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Holmes' thin, eager face. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks in him." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." 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. to me. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies and glanced through. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much it." suspect him." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a think you a quite exceptional woman." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had reach." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "What then?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Awake, Watson?" he asked. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is ready to-morrow?' accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced appointment with me for six o'clock?" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?"