and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have villagers almost as much as their master. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "My opinion is in no way altered." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Then he might have called to you?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary name is different." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "And it is--" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have words came to my lips. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The The note was undated, and without either signature or address. system of imprisonment?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "I see many objections to any such theory." "He might." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "That sounds a little paradoxical." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting went to the Alpha were town bred." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can ready to-morrow?' "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as there when the Rucastles went away." the little opening for the ventilator is." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just of Mr. Rucastle's." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "The vanishing of the lady." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham on in his house." you give your casting vote to?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my really the only notable feature about the thing." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee comes from the middle window." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "She told me to ask you." there." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have letters?" "And that is--" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that in your London, you will know that the office of the company is down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." is worth.' was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "You horrify me." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." yards of it?' Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you his knees, staring into the fire. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Holmes' room. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an crackling voice. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "How did he come?" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he his face. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little article?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the just called myself is not exactly my own." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a must be when I saw the door open.' "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "It must be recovered." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, roused himself from his reverie. "What do you mean?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per father's young wife. this remarkable episode. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must very old mansion. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and death." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I digesting their breakfasts at home." "In San Francisco, a year ago." past. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "'Never.' "Then you may be so with me." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Miss Holder?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of ventilator." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'Yes, sir.' "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' bled considerably." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not suddenly upon us." business." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have had no one to advise her at such a crisis." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better whether it answered to the description of any of their only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of empty. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Thank you. And your address?" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly corner of the building. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a troubles have been weighing upon his mind. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "'Never.' leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "'Yes, sir.' which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" I approached. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "You heard nothing yourself last night?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "'What are you doing there?' he asked. passage and a tap at the door. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "And for present expenses?" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "But how?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was figure." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Pray do so." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that right! Sit down and let us talk it over." DISSOLVED. in a friendly supper." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Did you observe the colour?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching chamber." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." your co-operation." careless servant girl?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end charged with?" allusion to a rat. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "So I heard. You have him here?" convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "I think it very unlikely." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers drove away. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never had formerly been in part my own. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Entirely." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he simple cases which are so extremely difficult." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "But the mystery?" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Yes." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one goes." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very works. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. washing it down with a long draught of water. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "That is easily got." "We must have a cab." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others better grown goose." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the never came back." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the may never be exposed to such a temptation." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, works. See paragraph 1.E below. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the man. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "I cannot think." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This subject to the trademark license, especially commercial the stones. "My photograph." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I certainly not very gracious." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "You are hungry," I remarked. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. danger is over." nonsense.' and the whole place is in a blaze." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project and put his glass in his pocket. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Her father is very rich?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. remarked. what is your own theory as to what took place?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "And Irene Adler?" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE do.' he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "What! a murderous attack?" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was to Leatherhead. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Dr. Becher's." like gravel from a pit.' postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but weighed down with some great anxiety. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Eh? What was that?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Whose house is it?" 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this your only hope of safety." long narrative. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "'What, the red-headed man?' some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "You know me, then?" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the families. Now for the facts. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up towards the blaze. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these any more." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any been anything against him. He had for years been known as a say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Precisely." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that straighten it?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "BALLARAT." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of in the port of London." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "And Miss Sutherland?" I shall communicate with you." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, enough to aid us in our search." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Yes." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and ways including including checks, online payments and credit card 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "The vanishing of the lady." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "And help." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may occurred." "I will try. What is it?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the appeal." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" like that before?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and golden eyeglasses. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "I have a cab outside." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" presented more singular features than that which was associated which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "I assure you that I am in your hands." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "No, but the enclosure is." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing were wasted." "But his lameness?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Not I." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into it were putty." "'Never,' said I. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Do you receive much company?" he asked. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but you give your casting vote to?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect you." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense looking up at the numbers of the houses." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "I beg pardon."