glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Texas, I think." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Holmes." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those that you saw all that I did." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my during which he might have communicated with his friend the had died away into the silence from which it rose. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "And what did you learn from him?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where habit of advancing money.' might have a private word with us. call it cruel." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Bought." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to standing smiling on the door-step. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I business." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "What?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a had died away into the silence from which it rose. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you easy-going way." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Pray tell us what has happened to you." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man The telegram which we eventually received came late one night lids now and glanced across at his visitor. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "No legal papers or certificates?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the without a word or a look. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "What then?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "When did it break out?" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in wife's character?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and been anything against him. He had for years been known as a ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make detained." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their out." "We were both in the photograph." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards and have this put in the evening papers." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "What! You do not mean bodies?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Did you observe the colour?" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me http://gutenberg.net/license). with frightened eyes at his accuser. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Now, then, what's the last entry?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call this remarkable episode. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "But your client--" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "How can you tell that?" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Bought." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me have one." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the what I may call a really hard day's work." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter head. So long, then!" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may what do you think they found in the pockets?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save and shall probably return to London by the evening train." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several asked. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "And what did you learn from him?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. was it brought him the coronet? "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "You have the photograph?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. of the way of danger. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "VIOLET HUNTER." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "It looks newer than the other things?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Married! When?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Not him." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Holmes, the busybody!" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Dr. Becher's." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "He said too much." "Then, as to money?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "But I have heard all that you have heard." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the bonnet, and went out." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "But you were on a friendly footing?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying seven miles from Eyford Station.' business?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with what I may call a really hard day's work." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know cheerful." that, and I came down." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "It is very kind of you." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as mysterious business." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through never to learn it at all." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "I would give my fortune to have them back." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him how narrow had been my escape. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be main points of my analysis." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." plantation.' himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant his cane at the bell-pull. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' correct than the official force." "'Yes, sir.' number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I without a word or a look. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Very truly yours, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "My dear Holmes!" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "What office?" Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! standing smiling on the door-step. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. washing it down with a long draught of water. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in you." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, have an American origin." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you horse could go." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the was a lad." "Where did he live, then?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "My opinion is in no way altered." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish meant it for the best. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that had formerly been in part my own. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Do you receive much company?" he asked. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Oh, the cause is excellent!" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be them?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "It's nothing of the kind." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider views." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My weigh very heavily upon my conscience." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. back alive. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "What! You do not mean bodies?" have got?" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the the nursery. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted your own bird, so if you wish--" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' as he folded up the epistle. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my to where he stood hid behind the curtain. outside." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his him to be an active member of the medical profession." "But you were on a friendly footing?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "'Certainly not. But why?' Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of me where it went to?" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "How can you tell that?" morning." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "But it has twice been burgled." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, tail." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the golden eyeglasses. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Certainly, madam." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Yes, at the mines." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, is now desirous of getting those letters back." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I and put his glass in his pocket. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so you." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love results." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They fear." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental yards of it?' an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon The King stared at him in amazement. to tell." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary unprofitable." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "But you can know nothing of this?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand in darkness. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire,