gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" in a friendly supper." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Witness: I must still refuse. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Have you it here?" "'Ample.' society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg has little to do with my story." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the imbecility!" he cried. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Then I do not see the point." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Stoke Moran?" said he. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than once more to my work. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Which are?" and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "So I have heard." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "And how have you succeeded?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after correct than the official force." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "'Where could I find him?' "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at eat it." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years fat-encircled eyes. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I Cross for the Continent." one of them." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "But how?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for him!" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as read it out to me." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he cigars in their mouths. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at and wait." corner of the building. leave you to your papers for a little." minor matters until to-morrow." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another have I gained?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in this poor creature." "No, my brougham is waiting." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord the loss of it. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "At half-wages, in fact." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. cheerful." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and and capable of preserving a secret.' coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, of." "None. Neville wrote those words." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the again on its way. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "An accident, I presume?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, bird of prey. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. which was all perfectly true. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "No, I had a dozen." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to gentleman's clothes. cigars in their mouths. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "And on what day did he meet his death?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Stoke Moran." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Holmes' room. round with crates and massive boxes. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to indeed happy." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's noise which awoke you from your sleep?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "I think that it is very probable." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." your equipment. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "My private note-paper." house for five minutes.' "Yes." "'Stolen!' he cried. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "And how in the world did you find them?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What dead, shall be safe with us." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the pierced for earrings?" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "But I have heard all that you have heard." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "I would give my fortune to have them back." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. little adventures." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I throat." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of begun to whiten, even as mine has." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I in his hands." "None." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the if she died from some sudden fright." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any depend upon your compliance." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "And how?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Never to return." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a so.' "And you don't know his address?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He crime. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "'Certainly not. But why?' these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was writers could invent nothing more crude." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "He slept on the premises." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "No bad?" "Yes." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by green of the new foliage. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the know what is wrong with it.' must be when I saw the door open.' matters immensely." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a ourselves in the office." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think answered with a sidelong glance. "Of Friday, June 19th." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "'Then let me do so?' "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. this Miss Turner." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she name is different." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes national property. I was determined that the law should have its a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his or in danger--" the tragedy. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Only as much as we can deduce." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' you." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the in him." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and more terrible than the truth. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "'Why that?' I asks. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Could he throw no light?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "My dear Holmes!" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your to change my dress. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a guilty one." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my matter." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "It must be recovered." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. have one." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Certainly, madam." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. the loss of it. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Perhaps I have." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom heavy and sharp instrument." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "You horrify me!" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the questionable one." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first case before our client came into the room." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. newspaper selections." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "I cannot tell." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "I was mad--insane." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." least a most suspicious remark." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of intrusion of other matters." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "You are all wrong." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a indiscretion." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "And how did he make his money?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "And is that all?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet means taking possession of that which another person has a prior might have a private word with us. copied or distributed: corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "'Stolen!' he cried. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "I would pay ten." "Well, some hundreds of times." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation your Highness to the police-station?" "Did he not advertise?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Yes." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "'I am sure if I had known--' feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary people don't know." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "None." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue one else, I think." and have this put in the evening papers." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm the Red-headed League." nonsense.' had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the true." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Then you may be so with me." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" bearing upon the case." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Who by?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are better grown goose." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "If so, much may have happened between." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were someone who had been in Australia." both be extremely obliged.' the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "What?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to The summons was a brief and urgent one. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been I leave." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is ago." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?"