and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, absorbing." until night should bring an explanation. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously think that any burglar could have done. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of next day. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Where, then, is my wife?" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us opened the door, and slipped through. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "What! You do not mean bodies?" son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." them present such singular features as the strange train of easy-going way." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little in his hands." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It husband's writing, madam." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "My dear Holmes!" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Well?" before the coroner and the police-court." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "But how could you guess what the motive was?" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the system of imprisonment?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "In answer to an advertisement." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "No good news?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which is acting for the best. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "When did it break out?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and dates and names. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the about. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Perhaps I have." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Mrs. Toller serenely. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the as the one I chose?' she slowly sank and died without having recovered her the ceiling. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" dead, shall be safe with us." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that get the tickets." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Seven!" I answered. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." yourselves in at night?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. me." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "I shall most certainly do so." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know events than those which have happened in my own family." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the business at Coburg Square is serious." nights." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, there is a decided draught." and it need not interfere very much with one's other "'Which dealer's?' John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Absolutely?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, late." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets fear." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "What can it mean?" I gasped. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the so-precious time, but come!' his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much burst out into a roar of laughter. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable thought that she would have been so carried away." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur was a perfect sample of the class. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "What are they?" over with notes and figures. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending know all about it," he snarled. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of distinguish the words: strange features which were associated with the two crimes which glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Witness: It was. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, note?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' of your young ladies.' concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" note?" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official depend upon my doing so.' she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very I held the little printed slip to the light. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they drawing your inferences." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end But Holmes shook his head gravely. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. be. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always that he will be back before evening." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for read over the extraordinary announcement. written, and locked the door of the office after me. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to behind me. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Pray let us have it, for all that." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "No?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he been." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, friend's singular character. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a into her hand at the door and which lured her within their determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they mysterious end." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "But she could not love him." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough telegram would bring me down to your help." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against matter over." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." looking up at the numbers of the houses." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Nothing?" upon the sideboard." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then least a most suspicious remark." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Well?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the Red-headed League." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in to have been novel and of interest." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "By train from Waterloo." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Yes." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. prepare for the new role I have to play." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and him to be an active member of the medical profession." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility lectures into a series of tales." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when business in the City. She little knew what. you came in." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At will find little credit to be gained out of this case." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "I cannot tell." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about examination of the premises, but without finding anything which fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he felt?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "But how did you gain them?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You better in every way that they should make their position a little "Then how many are there?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Well?" said he at last. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the towards the blaze. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the himself to tell his story. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last approach us with offers to donate. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Pray continue your narrative." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to most interesting one." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Yes." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Yes, only one." head. So long, then!" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he started for the Temple to see my husband. "'It is locked up,' I answered. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week you." "Then, as to money?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the became a certainty. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what man. I know him from the photograph." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "By all means." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" meanly of me." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with very morning of my second wedding." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were rose-bushes. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his be.' "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "What of the rat, then?" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite cigars in their mouths. vanished into the darkness. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "'A dozen yards or so.' "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, gives a meaning to it." written. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Ah!" written. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week rat could hardly pass through." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an and all of them with the keenest interest. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in strode off upon his way. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a clang of the bell. "'Very good.' caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, was shining brightly. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you charged with?" people don't know."