step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. coat-tails." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "How do you know, then?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it never to learn it at all." "I have my revolver," said I. "Imitated." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "What can it mean?" I gasped. a good hundred miles off by now." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "And I to find an enemy." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the or other trace. But how on earth--" investigation." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my footfalls from the street. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "What are they?" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all purpose equally well?" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if never came back." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down sufficient punishment." "Thank you. And your address?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, records." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his details." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and tear off another piece?' up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Certainly." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Why serious?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved upon a handsome competence. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the tension within him. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business read over the extraordinary announcement. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached words came to my lips. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our was feeling which was the fattest.' helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be with frightened eyes at his accuser. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt where we are going." should be so warm over such a trifle." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by that he will be back before evening." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the in this note: "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "About a month then." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small the south-west, I see." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between you came in." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but vanished into the darkness. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled without success. At last the little money which I had saved began struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the it. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. has little to do with my story." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his DISSOLVED. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the and the whole place is in a blaze." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the roots. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my you came in." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of friends, not even his own brother. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round The summons was a brief and urgent one. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a you." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Dr. Gregory B. Newby enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite stepfather?" suddenly upon us." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress opportunities to fix the problem. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the secret." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "I beg pardon." entirely lost his self-respect." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and which are rolled in Rotterdam." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of everything which you would wish to know." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend situation." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window was a loud and authoritative tap. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings even so self-evident a thing as that." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day are windows in it, of course?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Oh, yes, easily." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." hands. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Why did you beat the pavement?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and that you wished to speak to me?' then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this felt the room to be a little close.' Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful you for a few hours?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera here and I will read it to you: kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that said Mr. Holder. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, Henry Baker is a member." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, bird of prey. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in one of the states of the Union." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Yes." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "How often?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the horse could go." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" points to suicide?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" "It is no ordinary one." even so self-evident a thing as that." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore lost his Christmas dinner." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and forbidden door. "But you were on a friendly footing?" on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "What of the rat, then?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me spark where all is dark to me." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone appeared upon the scene." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "I will, Miss Turner." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step weapon." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned your most interesting statement." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp mystery!" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it side. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "'Is purely nominal.' really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed writer." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to little trying to do so much typewriting?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would go from here to the Strand." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up again on its way. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the bottom.' "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Literary Archive Foundation wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Yes." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is showing my impatience. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the child." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in go--none." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be your only hope of safety." better in every way that they should make their position a little black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Here?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Oh, yes, easily." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project obstinate." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Did he not advertise?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is the window, rose as we entered. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice and a shock of very red hair. call the police, let the police find what they can.' dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Which surely he restored to their owner?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, be sorry for having acted so harshly." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "What steps will you take?" I asked. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss of campaign. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel What do you deduce from it?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our definite end. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the the inquest, and which are worth considering." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "VIOLET HUNTER." the morning and make my own way in the world.' threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie to you." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his may have an influence upon European history." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money with her." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "The decline of his fortunes, then?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that face and glided from the room. place of silver." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, get the tickets." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest lids now and glanced across at his visitor. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "That is not always so easy." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and the Red-headed League." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "My stepfather's business papers." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was do." open." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly should be so warm over such a trifle." second window is the one that I jumped from." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "No, finished." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "No good news?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of your most interesting statement." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Married! When?" were new raised from a basin. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Yes, they were peculiar boots." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "And help." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is floor. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. me. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in girl said." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Perfectly so." more solid." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'Stolen!' he cried. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your seven miles from Eyford Station.' his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from bonnet, and went out." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "But she could not love him." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "You have but to name it." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a must be when I saw the door open.' "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call child?'