half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "This photograph!" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the them?" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the the coronet in his hand?" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his started for the Temple to see my husband. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then rose-bushes. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for house for five minutes.' acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a to me. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress forbidden door. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "I have hopes." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Where to?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences and shall probably return to London by the evening train." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Yes." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless do." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. him, that man would not have given me such complete information sparkled upon his finger. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "No, I had a dozen." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. window when the police appeared." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "One of the highest in England." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest salesman. and I shall be with you presently." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, believe that I should never have any practice at all. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we as noiselessly as she had come. see a sister of mine apply for." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the letters?" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce colour had been driven from his face. "I promise," said Holmes. other means.' turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just the house with me." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and envelope. goes." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at matters immensely." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." to you." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, who was a member of your goose club." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do to that open window." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Why serious?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the notes," he said. "'Where to?' "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the enter into my head. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed records." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Ah, but I was recommended to you." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to redistribution. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Yes, sir." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more papers must be those that are destroyed.' had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "'What would be the hours?' I asked. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure the running down." with you alone." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before populous neighbourhood." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Not in the least." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have you for a few hours?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "My photograph." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Where did you address your letters, then?" which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "What is it?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "You have a clue?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his because she had spent so short a time in this country that she with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs everything which you would wish to know." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master from the brougham. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the showing my impatience. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, during that time.' beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "'Yes, it was gone.' recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, too. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "I should be immensely obliged to you." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in go--none." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his strong reason behind." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the very morning of my second wedding." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready them, and came down just as you departed. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Entirely." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "I guessed as much." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to within hail.' re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "I cannot tell." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as at a side door. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. in. "But she could not love him." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Nothing?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "The rest you will leave in our hands." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the together. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They you." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is quick march!" as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in that?' might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which for securing the situation." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "How did you trace it, then?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a tassel actually lying upon the pillow. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Yes, only one." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly weapon." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had late." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I nothing with him." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much his fortune, and I went back to pa. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then troubles have been weighing upon his mind. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': children over to America with him, so that I found myself without end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be posted to-day." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Yes, at the mines." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "No, I am descending." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major over his head with a sweet womanly caress. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Of what day?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into key of the affair now." conceal it?" as noiselessly as she had come. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others felt the room to be a little close.' an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. DISSOLVED. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "No. His orders were to stay in the house." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Which are?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave call you and give you the chance." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover giving me time to thank him. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the wall." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." whatever might befall. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no like that before?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my remarked. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. his forehead." Holmes' face clouded over. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be one else, I think." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped was once confined in the cab my mission was practically which should have the effect of calling the attention of the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, any." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Can I be of assistance?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, My friend smiled. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which rose-bushes. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, nothing with him." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would