the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "My photograph." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" him. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Yes, he did." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the stalked out of the room. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought British peeress.'" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "No, finished." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking appeal." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of or in danger--" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Mrs. Toller serenely. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" grasp, he hurried from the room. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see correct than the official force." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this suggested at once that there must be a communication between the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I washing it down with a long draught of water. "I say that I have solved it." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be mystery." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "It is half-past ten now." "A greater distance to travel." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," have had none more fantastic than this." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your vault. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and against a man in the prime of life?" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for weary and pale-looking. three of the beryls in it, was missing. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Why? What do you mean?" bell. Holmes whistled. "I should wish to." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small to where he stood hid behind the curtain. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "I am still in the dark." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently about here speaks of his kindness to him." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the yourselves in at night?" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "I don't say that. Perhaps." relief. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back them, and came down just as you departed. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by together. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every always that they were such commands as a lady might with desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late that these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too your Highness to the police-station?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the matter." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer few hundred pounds.' two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "No, my brougham is waiting." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms before, for it was considerably after midnight. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the and have this put in the evening papers." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small wanted for ourselves." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "I will, Miss Turner." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "And I." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the into the room. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full fuss that is made over them." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you nonsense.' "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Absolutely?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Have you it here?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "I promise," said Holmes. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What to surprise her." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. of campaign. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, that threaten you." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he arrangements." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said along the entire front of the house, with three long windows The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Did you become engaged then?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "I beg pardon." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs be sorry for having acted so harshly." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty do.' "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "He slept on the premises." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an we went to search for him, face downward in a little this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always the address that was given us in the advertisement. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the 1.E.9. best detective that ever lived. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to note?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "This concluded the examination of the witness." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't power." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Yes." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know you?' many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little signal between you and your father? fact, we may call it conclusive." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. awkward doing business with an alias." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he papers must be those that are destroyed.' I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, figure." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "And is that all?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were question," said Holmes, smiling. "And sit in the dark?" of the way of danger. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major have accepted such a situation. felt the room to be a little close.' "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, to a more successful conclusion." "Pray continue your narrative." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "He slept on the premises." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "One?" second." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not have established a very serious case against the son of the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from deduce something from that?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE dead, shall be safe with us." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to behind me. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." man. I know him from the photograph." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some nights." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove not fit the lock." Heh?' ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study to surprise her." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was sentimental considerations in the background which would induce myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and about. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." away to you." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Why serious?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" opportunities to fix the problem. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be hardly wander." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I and the whole place is in a blaze." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn better grown goose." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have all that?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and swore that no one else had been in the front room during the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from right! Sit down and let us talk it over." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. But Holmes shook his head gravely. "I see many objections to any such theory." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at silent! Oh, he will be silent!' effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and and glanced through. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he lamp. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "We must sit without light. He would see it through the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Has he come with you to-night?" it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in memory. with some details as to your case." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp subject to the trademark license, especially commercial is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be get the tickets." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "I don't say that. Perhaps." voice, changing her seat as requested. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "You don't mind breaking the law?" danger is over." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are pictures, libraries, or plate. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and where we are going." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "From his hat?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "None." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee held up the lantern and gazed about him. you do it in twenty minutes!' and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and crowd. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Your French gold?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "What?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "How on earth--" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "How did that help you?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden."