quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, danger is over." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "My own seal." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It that before taking the final step I should like to submit the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. as this. Pray let me have the details." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight I nodded again. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "How did that help you?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "And you don't know his address?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the it." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary to-night." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some you." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Yesterday." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. to tackle the facts." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "'What do you call purely nominal?' gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's written, and locked the door of the office after me. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "We have tried and failed." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "I have a cab outside." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Quite so." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "It must be recovered." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'I am sure that I do not know.' points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "But you have hopes?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. before the coroner and the police-court." "My last client of the sort was a king." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or should be so warm over such a trifle." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "And Miss Sutherland?" have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'I am sure that I do not know.' In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can him. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked man. I know him from the photograph." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the second window is the one that I jumped from." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a arrested. You then--" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Yes." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he later, upon the night of May 2nd." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "In what way?" asked Holmes. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now might have a private word with us. straightened it out again. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your States. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch she used." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "And what then?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he gone. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. your room." indeed which he could not unravel. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Certainly." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his on re-entering her father's house?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Then, how do you know?" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it instincts rose up against that laugh. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Of what day?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. evidence," I remarked. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" sound at heart." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, go from here to the Strand." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "You horrify me!" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would to surprise her." handed it to him. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. lumber-room." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, straighten it?" "But you have hopes?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two presume?" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a everything which you would wish to know." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Bought." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "An enemy?" round and wave him away like that.' however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP again before evening." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a indiscretion." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have meant." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his digesting their breakfasts at home." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "I should be immensely obliged to you." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave stammered. signal between you and your father? for securing the situation." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed it." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'I shall certainly be there.' One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "But his lameness?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as might have a private word with us. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'You doubt its value?' he asked. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or experiences." but preventing her from injuring another. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. of campaign. so.' held up the lantern and gazed about him. "What I expected to see." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow events, Mr. Windibank!" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and notes," he said. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one such attractions and accomplishments?' the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Absolutely?" my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. vault. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well following enigmatical notices: settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For compunction about shooting them down." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Witness: Nothing definite. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me gone before you can get him to hospital." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." outside." "Yes, it was twisted." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Then the page we have seen--" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is fact, we may call it conclusive." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "But he might be a bachelor." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but call it cruel." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "But you can know nothing of this?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "What are they?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and of Fenchurch Street." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "I have seen the police." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like carriage. It was a chestnut." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then felt?" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. your only hope of safety." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "And did you observe any change in her then?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to waste of energy." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he was once confined in the cab my mission was practically without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" main points of my analysis." Sutherland. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the outsides of the windows. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, do you make of it all?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must or other trace. But how on earth--" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said have accepted such a situation. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" you, my dear young lady?' gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with cigar and let me expound." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its rose-bushes. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "That's no good." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, tell him that I know him to be innocent." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a and I shall be with you presently." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat business?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an I took the paper from him and read as follows: and laid it on the table. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "But you were on a friendly footing?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "And why?" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I manager. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door electronic works "What do you make of that, Watson?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 experiences." too. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations next day. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of to go into your room and bar your shutters?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you infinite languor in his face. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. arrangements." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he advice." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the of this gang." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the detective. "So it appears." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the one which it was hard to resist. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "By no means."