"ARAT," I read. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence John Swain, of St. Augustine. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "We have tried and failed." experiences." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar works. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to From what you have told me I think that it is possible that beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is think, you have already met." already been minutely examined." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation that such person." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." salesman. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was copied or distributed: nice household for a young lady." "Yes." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out I held the little printed slip to the light. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "I have come for advice." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded good-night and bustled off upon her way. that I can to serve you." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A garden below. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, asked with his eyes open. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I signal between you and your father? safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His the inquest, and which are worth considering." photograph?" and a shock of very red hair. States. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Perhaps I have." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his promised to bring home. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "But how?" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "No." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed strength." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It throat." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right to-night." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this these bleak autumnal evenings." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day sofa. This way, please!" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "But we can't all be." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, You want to know what became of those geese?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. will take you up to see the machine.' "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "'I have heard so.' we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and wedding?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle awaited us upon the table. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal populous neighbourhood." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Arthur Conan Doyle others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "But it has twice been burgled." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Come in!" said Holmes. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "And what then?" not fit the lock." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the it means?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be could gather together that I was able to avert another public the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "'Why that?' I asks. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon The summons was a brief and urgent one. lips." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth own family. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke wedding?" "Absolutely none." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the of them has the shutters up.' relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a papers." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "The gentleman I describe." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the forecastle of an emigrant ship. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "It is possible." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting delighted to hear it," he said. been." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" the morning and make my own way in the world.' say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near I. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just him to go away.' James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" on in his house." him to go away.' his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. from the brougham. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "My Mary? Impossible!" "I say that I have solved it." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife little trying to do so much typewriting?" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "You are all wrong." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they three fields round his house, and there he would take his and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt went to the Alpha were town bred." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "It is possible." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up other means.' "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Precisely." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. started for the Temple to see my husband. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see points to suicide?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "And Miss Sutherland?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is one which it was hard to resist. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while children over to America with him, so that I found myself without received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon photograph?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Miss Holder?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, with some details as to your case." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of that I may have something better before very many minutes are through." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until anything to a woman, for she would have her way." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I I was concerned in it." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, always that they were such commands as a lady might with clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he and capable of preserving a secret.' "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, murdered man." sound at heart." unclasping of his long thin hands. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said over with notes and figures. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Leadenhall Street--and--" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong spark where all is dark to me." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was been shamefully used." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, locked. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "He slept on the premises." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first I nodded to show that I had heard. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "It is to him that this trophy belongs." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond arrangements." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Doctor, of the paper and the date." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "One of the highest in England." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few very morning of my second wedding." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might the inner apartment." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." rose-bushes. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and of receipt of the work. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been society." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his one of the states of the Union." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the a room. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I signal between you and your father? and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Yes." "No?" "It is very clear." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "And I." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the hardly wander." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "None." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "A greater distance to travel." suspect him." the inquest, and which are worth considering." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to one of the states of the Union." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. of a light. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily cause to be." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Where is it, then?" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud must be when I saw the door open.' if I call to-morrow?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one present." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that voice, changing her seat as requested. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian John Swain, of St. Augustine. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Dr. Gregory B. Newby relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place window when the police appeared." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I would pay ten." ordinary clothes on?" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the disappearance of the bride.'" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a lips." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. forecastle of an emigrant ship. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open true." residence of the great financier. "Deserted you?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. hands. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "I promise," said Holmes. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I of Fenchurch Street." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the remarked. Henry Baker is a member." go from here to the Strand." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love in this note: by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "'I have already given you my word.' approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "I beg pardon." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "But we can't all be." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to ago." "I will not look." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then never will be, entirely cleared up. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against purpose equally well?" "Certainly." of the way of danger. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr.