impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal were unconscious?" "And the cigar-holder?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "That is not always so easy." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the warnings." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you photograph?" "When did she vanish, then?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. business at Coburg Square is serious." a suggestive one." forebodings. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a call you and give you the chance." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before suddenly upon us." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem was it brought him the coronet? was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges fluttered off among the others. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout anything to do with the matter?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel instituted." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of to-morrow." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of letters?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the of them has the shutters up.' at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "'I have heard so.' "What! a murderous attack?" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Street. happened." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than you came in." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Nothing?" "What do you make of that, Watson?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured door?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an have I gained?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "You are hungry," I remarked. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me most important business. It is probable that he will be away all to-night's adventure." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At the roots. himself. shoulder; "he's all right." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I locked." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are criminal. We have already had experience of such." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a asked. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't his huge brown hands. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "'I shall certainly be there.' relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was excitement. not within a twentieth part of the market price." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "You horrify me!" one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "'I have already given you my word.' faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." room?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Holmes, the busybody!" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of once more for Briony Lodge. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he affair. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I you." to you." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Very much so." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I your room." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are pictures, libraries, or plate. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "And who is her maid?" "None." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Why did you beat the pavement?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a meant." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" these bleak autumnal evenings." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a returned to France?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Dr. Gregory B. Newby http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not may never be exposed to such a temptation." through." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a the date of his supposed suicide." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes said I. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "No, distinctly professional." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small his fortune, and I went back to pa. tapping his fingers upon the table. chair. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we during which he might have communicated with his friend the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid purpose of examination. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Nothing." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I had this final quarrel? "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; will be renamed. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let assist you in forming an opinion." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you papers on the sundial.'" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. events than those which have happened in my own family." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Literary Archive Foundation gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his o'clock is it?" thought that she would have been so carried away." "'Then let me do so?' precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "You horrify me." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "You did not overhear what they said?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate License. You must require such a user to return or and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt towards the blaze. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "One of his hands." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London of note-paper. It read in this fashion: secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord was feeling which was the fattest.' wife's character?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "What do you make of that, Watson?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you The summons was a brief and urgent one. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not definite end. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is disappearance of these gems?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very chambers. "You think that he is dead?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a like that before?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, some city in a dream. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she had formerly been in part my own. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, when you have done it." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day to arrive at through this?" least a fellow-countryman. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, politicians who had been sent down from the North. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "To ruin me." said Mr. Holder. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a late!' chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not seven miles from Eyford Station.' carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Watson," he said cordially. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all infinite languor in his face. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this newspaper selections." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his a good hundred miles off by now." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest carpenter." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for about. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of assist you in forming an opinion." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Then the page we have seen--" even so self-evident a thing as that." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or that me." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are to miss it." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to was lame." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Then you may be so with me." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, learned something! Where are the gems?" as the one I chose?' evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your over his head with a sweet womanly caress. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Very truly yours, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "The Cedars?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that invisible to me," I remarked. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some and prosperity to your house. Good-night." child?' disappearance of these gems?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he constraint." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Of Friday, June 19th." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very and laid it on the table. awaited us upon the table. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw into the room. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and do.' course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been a room. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much than was visible to me." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to companion. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." John Swain, of St. Augustine. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on point in the dark hollow of his hand. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic breakfast?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, she used." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same round and wave him away like that.' "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. murdered man." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he than to us. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all It may be so in this case, also." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "No, but the enclosure is." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as the coronet in his hands?" "I cannot as yet see any connection." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "What do you make of that, Watson?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and events, Mr. Windibank!" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. nights." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right