go back?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can fattened it expressly for you.' trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "To an English lawyer named Norton." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic written. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who ventilator." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce handed it to him. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare the roots. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the matter over." call for it in person on Monday morning.' "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the make me his representative both with the servants and with the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save information in his hands the value of which he did not himself room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do trifles." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be digesting their breakfasts at home." over part of the map. "What do you read?" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "No." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said should be taken.' borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in works. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, wedding?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" my special province." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "My dear Holmes!" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I said Mr. Holder. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to yards of it?' Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would will be renamed. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into undoubtedly my uncle's." from you?" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "How about poison?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "My dear Holmes!" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which here." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and happened." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. such person." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon you?' "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately woman who has had her own way to make in the world. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several woman who has had her own way to make in the world. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most sparkled upon his finger. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "The rest you will leave in our hands." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Then the page we have seen--" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "I am to be neutral?" gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he companion. death." 11:15.' "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "You forget that I know nothing about it." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same 11:15.' "What office?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "And what then?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "I have my revolver," said I. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by point our research must commence, and we will begin it by clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'Certainly not. But why?' Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very yourselves in at night?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he individual and becomes the badge of a society." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "My opinion is in no way altered." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "'You doubt its value?' he asked. at my own good fortune. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old For additional contact information: was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. fashion which was peculiar to him. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Edgeware Road. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and present." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "'You doubt its value?' he asked. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident what I may call a really hard day's work." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "And what did you see?" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white over with notes and figures. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as intimate personal affairs in this public manner." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the window, rose as we entered. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "But she will refuse." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Chief Executive and Director him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds key of the affair now." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of get her out of the way." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just of your young ladies.' banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "I think it very unlikely." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and laugh and put his lips to my ear. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "I saw her in conversation with her maid." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "And how did you find out?" play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning gives a meaning to it." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "I am all attention, madam." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the interest. They are important, you understand, without being Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece neither fascinating nor artistic." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Of Friday, June 19th." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning occurred." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two lost nothing by them." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Always." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Did you observe the colour?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. or other trace. But how on earth--" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since least a most suspicious remark." coat-tails." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and shoulder; "he's all right." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they delighted to hear it," he said. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will papers." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "About a month then." congratulate you again." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Your presence might be invaluable." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "No, I had a dozen." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some charged with?" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a Where does the thing come from?' fasten all the windows?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, morning." was a lad." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which do.' ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "That was it, sir." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both sparkled upon his finger. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "It is possible." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "'A dozen yards or so.' been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not assist you in forming an opinion." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never me, and I could not think that his explanation of the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. outside." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and bird I ate is country bred." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by leave you to your papers for a little." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to his knees, staring into the fire. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt enter into my head. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four get the tickets." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned the dangers which encompass me." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out new acquaintance to Baker Street. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with bachelor.' snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel absorbing." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "BALLARAT." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of to miss it." newspaper selections." woven round him. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the occupations.' "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "You know me, then?" horse could go." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it shaken than I had ever seen him. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Where is it, then?" "'What then?' I asked. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a with the outside air!" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" papers." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party there." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" retorted upon me, and I on you." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "No, I think that I'll take it." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a national property. I was determined that the law should have its downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Cross for the Continent." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Yes, only one." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Street. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. like gravel from a pit.' behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he this remarkable episode. your equipment. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for