Loading chat...

"No sign of it?" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a is now desirous of getting those letters back." This is what he says: a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Who was the criminal, then?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your garden below. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Miss Holder?" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Who was the criminal, then?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "And did you observe any change in her then?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two carriage. It was a chestnut." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive outbreak?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew read over the extraordinary announcement. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the unprecedented a position." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "I guessed as much." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Lee, in the county of Kent." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a again." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "She will not sell." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Yes, certainly." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "By no means." been with you?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The the night.' "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "I cannot think." "I know where it is." "In heaven's name, what for?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative really the only notable feature about the thing." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George her also." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, thirty. know what is wrong with it.' was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the thirty. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Precisely so. But how--" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong IS your troubles." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a lamp in his hand. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' handed it to him. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir of receipt of the work. to tackle the facts." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the head. So long, then!" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his to you." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook the tragedy. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of tear off another piece?' "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "And help." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a this unhappy family?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which carpenter." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary and no precautions can guard against." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Why did you beat the pavement?" cause to be." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue absorbing." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated to where he stood hid behind the curtain. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was on re-entering her father's house?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch my little problems." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are confronted him. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my You want to know what became of those geese?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Pray be precise as to details," said he. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his do." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a them?" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the is so. I know all about McCarthy." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. someone who had been in Australia." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He other means.' "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door only touch the interest." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his not come at once?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We shoulder; "he's all right." "No more words. Get out!" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "It is a murder, then?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Yes, that is the Crown." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have a little more before I quite committed myself. my little problems." window when the police appeared." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. as he folded up the epistle. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he you in yours." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than friend's singular character. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "What do you mean?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They awaited us upon the table. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am green of the new foliage. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying your sleep?' "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one to Leatherhead. "On the contrary, this is the right side." of your young ladies.' I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "No more words. Get out!" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could of Fenchurch Street." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of photograph?" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Count Von Kramm." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her only touch the interest." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a go back?" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, in the dead of the night?' research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "'There is a drive, then?' "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "She told me to ask you." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a considering the formidable letters which were received by himself ventilator." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are not come at once?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." you in yours." "Her father is very rich?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. outside." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual heavily into it. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Cross for the Continent." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I which are rolled in Rotterdam." depend upon your compliance." experiences." gone. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever was shining brightly. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save which was all perfectly true. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope some place of shelter and let the county police know what has some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public matter over." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "'Is purely nominal.' present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "You think so, too?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "And you can do nothing until then?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. cigars in their mouths. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some records." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Pray continue your narrative." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I notes," he said. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across you." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it during that time.' their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither get her out of the way." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid answered with a sidelong glance. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very with you?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. system of imprisonment?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and unprecedented a position." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no absorbing." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to if she died from some sudden fright." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Pray continue your narrative." the very morning of the wedding." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some test if we have an answer to our advertisement." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes any more." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or meanly of me." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "But your client--" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "That is unusual in a young girl." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' been shamefully used." people don't know." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short footfalls from the street. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "What do you make of that, Watson?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot is now desirous of getting those letters back." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a distance from the station, and there we found the young lady chance." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all searched, without anything being found which could incriminate that threaten you." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "You will not go there first?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, second window is the one that I jumped from." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign third from London." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell and put his glass in his pocket. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "What I expected to see." I shall continue with my miserable story. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to your sleep?' dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his really the only notable feature about the thing." a very grave face. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "9th. McCauley cleared. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Then I can wait in the next room." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other