her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a my secret was safe in his possession. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "'What are you doing there?' he asked. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his 'I should be able to look after that for you.' beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'Tell me all about it,' said I. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, towards the blaze. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Not him." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, daring than any effort of the imagination." fashion which was peculiar to him. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room him and tried to hold him back. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that events, Mr. Windibank!" My friend smiled. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' how narrow had been my escape. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to quickly through a disagreeable task. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "He said that you could solve anything." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Get out!" said he. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a clanging. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Thank you. Pray proceed." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish *** START: FULL LICENSE *** observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most this poor creature." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as carried out of court." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "The gentleman I describe." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working any." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very you?' stalked out of the room. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a she might be summoned. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil of your young ladies.' future lives." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' system of imprisonment?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Yes, that is the Crown." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the best of training." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Perfectly so." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since seem to you to be relevant or not." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "'You cannot say what it was?' array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be footfalls from the street. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a strength of mind to control. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or remarked. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "To the police?" in a very precise fashion." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "I say it is." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Then I am your man." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," fact, we may call it conclusive." have one." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose straighten it?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "But you were on a friendly footing?" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if helping a boy to put up the shutters. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without next day. wedding?" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are his fortune, and I went back to pa. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, locked." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked little trying to do so much typewriting?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while said I. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in ready to-morrow?' business in the City. She little knew what. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society detective. to-night." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the running down." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have flock.' "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Yes." other lovers by making love himself." "And now?" I asked. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." call it cruel." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your following enigmatical notices: thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "The murder was done with it." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would sake, don't!" the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Precisely." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the leave you to your papers for a little." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. of them has the shutters up.' America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "I guessed as much." "Then I shall certainly come." "Nothing." "I cannot tell." cheerful." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "'Where could I find him?' disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish that you saw all that I did." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "It came here." answered with a sidelong glance. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "And when will you call?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his in my life." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some see a sister of mine apply for." "Yes." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in I have it here in my museum." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and delighted to hear it," he said. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was how narrow had been my escape. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood during the last few years, and there are many noble families to discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, fuss that is made over them." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "I was afraid that you were engaged." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "That is it on the dressing-table." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. asked. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. plantation.' thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us orange pips. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these prison!" has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Dr. Becher's." "It must be recovered." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the opportunities to fix the problem. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Witness: Nothing definite. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly had a long day." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he companion imperturbably. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Ah!" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Perfectly so." occurred." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy into the room. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we miles off. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been people don't know." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening out of this horrible affair." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Your presence might be invaluable." "Well." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out handed it to him. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "What, then, did Peterson do?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive will be renamed. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea legal crime." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "I have solved it." during that time.' was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "And your mother is alive?" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just skylight. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley success. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide