as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A you." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the to surprise her." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "None." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over burst out into a roar of laughter. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a have not had my rubber." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each me. You must get home instantly and act." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill From what you have told me I think that it is possible that reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You kindly on the shoulder. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no is so. I know all about McCarthy." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who again, where I was soon asleep. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of jewels which you have stolen?' fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Not social, then?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal absorbing." flock.' presented which may be striking and bizarre without being his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "No." Street. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "I think it very unlikely." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Entirely." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "You horrify me." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "I should wish to." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must fuss that is made over them." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you of receipt of the work. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the a room. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew me. You must get home instantly and act." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is could go. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he instituted." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "No." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "And how did you verify them?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention chemical work which was so dear to him. "And on what day did he meet his death?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what cigar and let me expound." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Yes, sir." before, for it was considerably after midnight. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very ways of our fellow-men." extraordinary contortions. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Why serious?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." his eyes and forehead. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, narrative." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my children over to America with him, so that I found myself without therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, cigar and let me expound." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing begun to whiten, even as mine has." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond I have it here in my museum." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit experiences." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Get out!" said he. "Seven!" I answered. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me touch that coronet?' compunction about shooting them down." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "It goes to the housekeeper's room." a room. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' lost his Christmas dinner." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." out of this horrible affair." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet persecution?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" about. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the of it with the greatest attention. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself companion imperturbably. "This photograph!" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler constraint." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the these bleak autumnal evenings." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and written. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Count Von Kramm." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed in the port of London." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He tied." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." manager. at home. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. less than 26s. 4d. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the reach." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project exactly what you advise." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. extraordinary contortions. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, papers must be those that are destroyed.' is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left at my remark. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Then you may entirely rely on me." within hail.' these bleak autumnal evenings." "I say it is." "It's nothing of the kind." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "I cannot imagine." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should during that time.' "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to his grey eyes. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "It was an hour's good drive." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' through." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it strode off upon his way. province." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." delighted to hear it," he said. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Holmes, the busybody!" introspective fashion. Munro.' clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage thin, with a long, sharp nose?" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Stoke Moran?" said he. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had him to be an active member of the medical profession." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord just ask you whether you had heard it.' journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "No, but the enclosure is." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Nearly eleven." "Well?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." sufficient punishment." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker possible that we could bring him back to her? King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a she slowly sank and died without having recovered her job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a you." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "How on earth--" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is must be when I saw the door open.' willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "At what time?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his had formerly been in part my own. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose this remarkable episode. I approached. "My stepfather's business papers." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor standing smiling on the door-step. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in brought there to personate someone, and the real person is strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." might help us?" "That's no good." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Where to?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and you?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in I approached. "What then?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Munro.' "She will not sell." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be own family. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Does that suggest anything?" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "I am armed." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "When did it break out?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" most interesting one." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock to Leatherhead. opened the door, and slipped through. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small ourselves in the office." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' the coronet in his hands?" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Where, indeed?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. had died away into the silence from which it rose. matters immensely." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the awkward doing business with an alias." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she his knees, staring into the fire. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Yes." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Tired-looking or fresh?" papers must be those that are destroyed.' "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. money should be paid at once.' He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Stoke Moran?" said he. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange was used.' family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "But you would not advise me to refuse?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch said I. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even soul! here is her carriage at the door." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, should be taken.' with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "How did you deduce the select?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all purpose of examination. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "In San Francisco, a year ago." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He think you a quite exceptional woman." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in some city in a dream.