License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock where we are going." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "What steps will you take?" I asked. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Will you bet, then?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love His name is Francis Prosper." again before evening." certainly do as you advise." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the as he remarks, very much against the son." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "None. Neville wrote those words." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "But of what society?" "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "And the murderer?" "I cannot tell." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. man. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Yes." detained." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he becomes even more simple." memory. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "In what way?" asked Holmes. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get horse could go." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom shadow pass over his face as I spoke. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Henry Baker is a member." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or upon an income of about 60 pounds." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have go from here to the Strand." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by asked. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these in his hands." should be taken.' "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Perhaps we may make them less so." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "I think that it is very probable." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter father's young wife. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with for the market.' rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with guilty one." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Witness: It was. have accepted such a situation. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There a room. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner John Swain, of St. Augustine. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in horse could go." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "He said that you could solve anything." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and husband's writing, madam." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "I was mad--insane." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "I cannot say that I have." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in people in all walks of life. "And what then?" families. Now for the facts. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting to change my dress. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "My own seal." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "But his left-handedness." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a James Windibank. Voilà tout!" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to hopeless attempt at recovering them." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in business." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "A greater distance to travel." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See my little problems." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the desk. papers." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. you." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and use an arc-and-compass breastpin." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me to change my dress. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "And Miss Sutherland?" "Your presence might be invaluable." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without existence." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative you." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "And how did you find out?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" papers diligently of late, have you not?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of directors have had misgivings upon the subject." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat was keenly on my guard against him. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against might have a private word with us. Pope's Court. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as His smile broadened. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom sparkled upon his finger. "Entirely." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Where does the thing come from?' chance at all." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the matter." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "'Quite sure, dad.' doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "She walked into the breakfast-room." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Street. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "How many? I don't know." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, colour had been driven from his face. I nodded to show that I had heard. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we lamp in his hand. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in the station." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss security.' news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and and glanced through. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while there was no need for father to know." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out drove away. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need more solid." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise shoulder; "he's all right." official police." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the go back?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I despaired of." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "No, thank goodness, she did not." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "What steps will you take?" I asked. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle humiliation." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting you came in." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away to surprise her." "Yes." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Holmes. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "It is to him that this trophy belongs." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "That is easily got." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? lumber-room." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Why serious?" nothing of it?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Pray do so." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that My friend smiled. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an into the room. 'please.'" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Get out!" said he. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "'Is 4 pounds a week.' we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "That sounds a little paradoxical." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "But you were on a friendly footing?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her me, and I could not think that his explanation of the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "No more words. Get out!" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "I will do it." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given mysterious end." dramatic, in fact." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began until night should bring an explanation. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Leave Paddington by the 11:15." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, head. So long, then!" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "'Never,' said I. second window is the one that I jumped from." head. So long, then!" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the of it with the greatest attention. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their in a friendly supper." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. will be renamed. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. you do it in twenty minutes!' already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was electronic works "Why serious?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and are, I think, all that we need." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it congratulate you again." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of way: were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed galvanised. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway