is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "I guessed as much." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "No, my brougham is waiting." the Red-headed League." wanted for ourselves." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all him!" the ceiling. But Holmes shook his head gravely. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough the room while you explain this matter?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it man. maiden herself was most instructive." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, his eyes and forehead. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "My dear Holmes!" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in problems help me to do so." late!' with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "'And what salary do you ask?' through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and only touch the interest." own family. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Why did you beat the pavement?" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, believe that I should never have any practice at all. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, hopeless attempt at recovering them." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of matter." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. with you alone." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Were they all fastened this morning?" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Not particularly." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Come in!" said he. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Was there a secret marriage?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, which was all perfectly true. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An just ask you whether you had heard it.' with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few next day. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, despaired of." I think that I could be of assistance to you." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and you came in." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of with you?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. corner of the building. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There maiden herself was most instructive." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "My Mary? Impossible!" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. certainly not very gracious." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few have got?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a rat could hardly pass through." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon there were so many in the whole country as were brought together she might be summoned. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he photograph?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Street. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "'What would be the hours?' I asked. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He From what you have told me I think that it is possible that annoyance, but no jest. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "No, thank goodness, she did not." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. jewels which you have stolen?' home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands have not had my rubber." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, his huge brown hands. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Not I." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. unclasping of his long thin hands. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, not come at once?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "It was." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of heavy and sharp instrument." "Yes, from Horsham." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in about here speaks of his kindness to him." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little retorted upon me, and I on you." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, system of imprisonment?" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that clang of the bell. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. your room." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "The Cedars?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "'And what salary do you ask?' male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat and I shall be with you presently." weapon." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged woman who has had her own way to make in the world. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, unkempt, staring out at me. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his in a very precise fashion." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "And help." Street. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so advice." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the bottom.' may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be other means.' and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "I beg pardon." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and disappearance of the bride.'" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps to that open window." helping a boy to put up the shutters. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "But what harm can there be in that?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "BALLARAT." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, I leave." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Always." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "'I have already given you my word.' seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to may never be exposed to such a temptation." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by sake, don't!" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "And is that all?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "He disappeared so suddenly." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the McCarthy." "I am in hopes that she does." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." voice, changing her seat as requested. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Never." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could I shall continue with my miserable story. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "And sit in the dark?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "'Certainly,' I answered. "So I have heard." papers." crowd. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were was feeling which was the fattest.' "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" matters immensely." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining of the way of danger. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very done what I asked you, Jones?" "Then I am your man." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew the armchair which I pushed forward for him. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "A confidential servant?" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through as this. Pray let me have the details." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, problems help me to do so." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and and laid it on the table. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "But it has twice been burgled." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but already been minutely examined." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which wedding?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. papers must be those that are destroyed.' so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been that there was nothing in it, after all." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Which are?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the the date of his supposed suicide." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one little trying to do so much typewriting?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. thin legs towards the fire. from you?" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Precisely." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "I am about to be married." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been that there was nothing in it, after all." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman would apply.' never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't developed." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Certainly." your only hope of safety." outside. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "The King of Scandinavia." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "And how?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many I think that I could be of assistance to you." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two husband's writing, madam." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you carpenter." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Then, as to money?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth introspective fashion. ways of our fellow-men." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my ill-usage at the hands of fortune. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Your presence might be invaluable." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my writers could invent nothing more crude." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, awaited us upon the table. few hundred pounds.' all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "'As governess?' Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." other, as fresh and trim as possible. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly do." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless simple cases which are so extremely difficult." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the think, you have already met." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to singular points about the case. What did the police think of the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "I say it is." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "In heaven's name, what for?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could companion imperturbably. society." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. that he has suffered." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective if she died from some sudden fright." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The always that they were such commands as a lady might with learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists works. not as remarkable as your advertisement." tail." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Yes." II. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No present." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue I approached. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Nothing?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with