is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "It was an hour's good drive." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our placed his cuttings. records." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque away in different directions, and I went off to make my own or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to politicians who had been sent down from the North. "And why?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I and I shall be with you presently." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural quick march!" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which simple cases which are so extremely difficult." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Your French gold?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of James Windibank. Voilà tout!" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much strong reason behind." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings country, and eventually married, without anyone having a at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "What are they?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or looking up at the numbers of the houses." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt done what I asked you, Jones?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "My Mary? Impossible!" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. that I may have something better before very many minutes are smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were business came to an end." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his rat could hardly pass through." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a goes." three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then me. You must get home instantly and act." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me dramatic, in fact." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "You did not overhear what they said?" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is a good hundred miles off by now." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would forbidden door. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no disappearance of the bride.'" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Yes." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS silent! Oh, he will be silent!' which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no are, and they are waiting for us." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There was used.' why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "It was." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than how narrow had been my escape. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the them?" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Always." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of disappearance of these gems?" you came in." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid just ask you whether you had heard it.' ready to-morrow?' "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that man. I know him from the photograph." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place became a certainty. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "No sign of it?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. the coronet in his hand?" as this. Pray let me have the details." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Yes, from Horsham." pierced for earrings?" "Imitated." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very he died? sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste through." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered on in his house." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Chief Executive and Director but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it guilty parties." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Yes." with you?" moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not when you have done it." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. see me here to avoid scandal." it." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "No, my brougham is waiting." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "You forget that I know nothing about it." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was in one or two places in England?' "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk help us in this matter." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "By no means." seen the man in the road." may never be exposed to such a temptation." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by good for you to do.' cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Yes, it was twisted." do you make of it all?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not developed." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the public press." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. behind me. purpose equally well?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is galvanised. matter." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up ready to-morrow?' believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "So it appears." in my life." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure meanly of me." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." character. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Yes." events, Mr. Windibank!" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of where she found matters as described by the last witness. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "'There is a drive, then?' this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I here and I will read it to you: a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no McCarthy's innocence. "'About the same.' cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," opened the door, and slipped through. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the examine." most interesting one." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is was a lad." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "'Where to?' I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had said I. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "BALLARAT." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The II. "My dear Holmes!" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after quite distinctive." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and not come at once?" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name relief. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE unprecedented a position." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "But what harm can there be in that?" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back extraordinary contortions. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "'Yes, it was gone.' own family. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "'Entirely.' dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ will not take me long to tell. province." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and you do it in twenty minutes!' fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came said he. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. with you?" "Oh, fresh and glossy." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and roused himself from his reverie. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where events, Mr. Windibank!" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now if only as a check to my own memory." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "'Stolen!' he cried. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. against a man in the prime of life?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a might have a private word with us. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Lestrade of Scotland Yard." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' the best of training." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Who was the criminal, then?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold cigars in the box." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of I took the paper from him and read as follows: little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the companion. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "The Coroner: What do you mean? Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm your room." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "None." "I have solved it." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This had a long day." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few down. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young matter over." "There are none." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "How do you know, then?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything coroner's jury." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "By train from Waterloo." "Was she in good spirits?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in already referred to. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "No." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "'You cannot say what it was?' concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "This photograph!" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "But the mystery?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very one of them." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "No, I had a dozen." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "A greater distance to travel." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and remarked. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat This is what he says: "That's no good." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "But of what society?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is telegram would bring me down to your help." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. with you alone." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek weary and pale-looking. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Who by?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Sutherland. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always notes," he said. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the for the market.' his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all cigars in their mouths. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of to go into your room and bar your shutters?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars,