"The best possible." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "You'll never persuade me to believe that." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." present." against a man in the prime of life?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached a very grave face. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And returning from some small jollification and was making his way Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies had picked up in the wood. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." one which it was hard to resist. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the matter?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Not I." "How about poison?" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his charged with?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what new duties?' interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of himself. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in outside. is so. I know all about McCarthy." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that always that they were such commands as a lady might with we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to orange pips. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "My last client of the sort was a king." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "'Is purely nominal.' and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" wedding?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "It is possible." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I colour had been driven from his face. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door sparkled upon his finger. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "It is half-past ten now." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Very much so." "You know me, then?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by side. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a indeed which he could not unravel. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "It was an hour's good drive." was it brought him the coronet? beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key mystery may be cleared along those lines." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though look dissatisfied." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Then, as to money?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Pray be precise as to details," said he. know all about it," he snarled. business matters.' have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "My dear Holmes!" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again house for five minutes.' age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life easy-going way." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my our word." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the even of instruction." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "My last client of the sort was a king." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have sneer upon his pale face. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "I guessed as much." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't said he. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and furiously. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Who by?" overpowering excitement and concern. emerged. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not started for the Temple to see my husband. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, that he will be back before evening." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "And the cigar-holder?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "We have tried and failed." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "I will do it." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, of this gang." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind instituted." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary villagers almost as much as their master. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must train from Paddington which would bring you there at about could go. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, stepfather?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "It certainly sounds feasible." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The the Friday. Was it to be in church?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of ago." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I to-night?' "Do you receive much company?" he asked. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that present strange and interesting features that it is no easy forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the guilty one." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during spark where all is dark to me." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, for securing the situation." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram DISSOLVED. "I do." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep good for you to do.' was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "A call for help, you thought?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "It missed him, then?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "It was." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was highroad, where all traces were lost. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "No, I had a dozen." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Certainly." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his when your master had gone out." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you which we had just quitted. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "No more words. Get out!" "By train from Waterloo." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the DAMAGE. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an cheerful." "But how?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. appeared upon the scene." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor vault. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in of it with the greatest attention. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I do you make of it all?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Henry Baker is a member." manager. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK said he. stalked out of the room. "Of Friday, June 19th." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "What have you to say now?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, detective. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted off." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "But you have hopes?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at into the room. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's train from Paddington which would bring you there at about explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is rat could hardly pass through." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" girl said." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might presume?" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Now, then, what's the last entry?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I which it had come upon my father." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when nonsense.' recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of you understand?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but was a lad." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: head. So long, then!" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in and I shall be with you presently." in this note: "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she criminal. We have already had experience of such." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they really the only notable feature about the thing." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "I assure you that I am in your hands." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one during that time.' manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "And it is--" and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "'I have heard so.' presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was the stones. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 fait accompli?" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the get the tickets." families. Now for the facts. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" your billet.' "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I deduce something from that?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "I think that I had better go, Holmes." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Munro.' twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day tell them apart.' deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. populous neighbourhood." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set power." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Yes, from Horsham." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Not in the least." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story papers must be those that are destroyed.' "And Miss Sutherland?" if I call to-morrow?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the station." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "I cannot imagine." words came to my lips. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside wedding?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' your most interesting statement." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an front of the hall door has given its name to the place. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, humiliation." "I cannot think." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with