which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "What can it mean?" I gasped. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Really! You surprise me." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "'Oh, no.' "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Pool. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction within hail.' dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "A call for help, you thought?" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business weapon." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger seem to you to be relevant or not." death." indeed which he could not unravel. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Not particularly." will not take me long to tell. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which to Leatherhead. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can any little problem which you may submit to me." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously The police have openly confessed that they can at present make nights." prison!" "Was he the only applicant?" character. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking people in all walks of life. other means.' "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And III. this unhappy family?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across like that before?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "It is very kind of you." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most crackling voice. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out awkward doing business with an alias." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." I nodded to show that I had heard. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the whole matter to your consideration." introspective fashion. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "I am still in the dark." "I think that it is very probable." could not have written that. It is the German who is so black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" morning." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination had no one to advise her at such a crisis." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Not him." recover the gem." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Tired-looking or fresh?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "'And the work?' the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the fire. You quite follow me?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we late." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are jewels which you have stolen?' nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, third from London." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. chemical work which was so dear to him. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "'In my own bureau.' deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you extraordinary contortions. "How did that help you?" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "'Entirely.' she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa into her hand at the door and which lured her within their and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and my secret was safe in his possession. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips Eyford at 11:15.' am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate Mrs. Toller serenely. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "I cannot imagine." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in assist you in forming an opinion." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "I should be immensely obliged to you." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "But of what society?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be the loss of it. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding in one or two places in England?' uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a together. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his lost his Christmas dinner." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his mysterious business." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where married her." "Could he throw no light?" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "No bad?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from your most interesting statement." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Not in the least." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," trying to your nerves." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be other lovers by making love himself." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "'Where to?' "Your French gold?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business than was visible to me." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, events, Mr. Windibank!" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, direction." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw possible that we could bring him back to her? however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite dramatic, in fact." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my and wait." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "And I to find an enemy." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Who was the criminal, then?" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my fattened it expressly for you.' didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Precisely." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in ceremony." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three which it had come upon my father." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. weapon." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Do you go out much in society?" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought father's young wife. you, my dear young lady?' purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must comes from the middle window." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of you." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "What!" he roared. "Not yet." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I like that before?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that wall." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his burst out into a roar of laughter. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the bachelor.' Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." be.' noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Where does the thing come from?' bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see neither fascinating nor artistic." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Yes, they were peculiar boots." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "It is very clear." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "What, then?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Precisely." some city in a dream. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and charged with?" appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had man. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards the King without delay." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at there in twenty minutes." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "VIOLET HUNTER." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it window when the police appeared." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The later, upon the night of May 2nd." more terrible than the truth. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other shag which I had seen upon the previous night. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt to have that photograph." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, allusion to a rat. populous neighbourhood." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Will you go?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming possible that we could bring him back to her? than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham in him." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last chemical work which was so dear to him. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "And the cigar-holder?" sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the companion quietly. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six business in the City. She little knew what. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William seen the man in the road." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest waste of energy." to-night?' I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Always." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "What then?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses presented more singular features than that which was associated I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of once more to my work. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where ventilator." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect ago." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "We were both in the photograph." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the loss of it. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "And did you observe any change in her then?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Never to return." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner