completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout there." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. round and wave him away like that.' "And what then?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty behind me. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be charged with?" my little problems." have established a very serious case against the son of the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "'What are you doing there?' he asked. occupations.' figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been answer." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "It was an hour's good drive." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "The best possible." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower absorbing." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had society." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, been deceived." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the coronet in his hands?" and glanced through. "At what time?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. when your master had gone out." it." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do the inquest, and which are worth considering." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was strong reason behind." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "And you thought he was pulled back?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, said I. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "May I see it?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of October 9, 1890. experiences." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Frequently." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "I am still in the dark." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Where, indeed?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the inner apartment." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that indeed happy." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step You can understand that this register and diary may implicate well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" British peeress.'" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now of Mr. Rucastle's." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "But he might be a bachelor." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are My friend smiled. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Where, then?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the works. See paragraph 1.E below. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, clanging. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual not fit the lock." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Precisely." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime indeed which he could not unravel. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural works. See paragraph 1.E below. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Has he come with you to-night?" which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that nice household for a young lady." "I guessed as much." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes papers diligently of late, have you not?" papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at your most interesting statement." digesting their breakfasts at home." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has row." "And what did you see?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it papers diligently of late, have you not?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and to that open window." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party awkward doing business with an alias." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "I shall most certainly do so." "And Miss Sutherland?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to one of the states of the Union." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's was a loud and authoritative tap. outsides of the windows. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "But his lameness?" outside. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended cigars in their mouths. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "And Miss Sutherland?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of my friend's incisive reasoning. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "She will not sell." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE quite distinctive." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know fat-encircled eyes. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Well?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like his grey eyes. way: a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "I would give my fortune to have them back." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for grasp, he hurried from the room. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than secret." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point it means?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No I approached. "'I am sure if I had known--' devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each which it had come upon my father." to that open window." here and I will read it to you: astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your right! Sit down and let us talk it over." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I train.' "Yes, sir." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we I took the paper from him and read as follows: little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a the nursery. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, you do it in twenty minutes!' what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "I shall most certainly do so." ashen face. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Entirely." results." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. invisible to me," I remarked. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing congenial hunt. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a absolutely follow my advice in every respect." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "I have come for advice." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "What then?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had goes." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. sofa. This way, please!" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "That is easily got." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. how narrow had been my escape. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "By no means." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "You have it, sir, just as it happened." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "'What do you call purely nominal?' on re-entering her father's house?" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it The police have openly confessed that they can at present make set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "And why?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt were new raised from a basin. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing writing, and yet I know it well." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have eavesdroppers?' "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "But you were on a friendly footing?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, putting in the horse. "We have tried and failed." the running down." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed way in everything. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was tail." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for you?" companion. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "But you have hopes?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Nearly eleven." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently a room. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Get out!" said he. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Never to return." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or we went to search for him, face downward in a little of campaign. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to despaired of." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it him. remarked. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less in. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal think, you have already met." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "My Mary? Impossible!" approach us with offers to donate. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. residence of the great financier. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to are, I think, all that we need." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "You have a clue?" and that he would see to anything that turned up. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said sufficient punishment." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This that I may have something better before very many minutes are here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Quite so." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "'No, I know no one in these parts.' with you?" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. British peeress.'" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I been." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "'Which dealer's?' upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE south, for the country is more deserted there." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease.