gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "None." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Get out!" said he. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a father's place of business?" or in danger--" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "And I to find an enemy." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Game for a morning drive?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, locked." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought the driver. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a and effective." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see husband's writing, madam." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Edgeware Road. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our less than 26s. 4d. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to The police have openly confessed that they can at present make authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this true." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the are, I think, all that we need." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Clair, of Lee." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in towards the blaze. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Pray let us have it, for all that." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a cause to be." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my rat could hardly pass through." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "'Yes, sir.' in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "It looks newer than the other things?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Very much so." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with I leave." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured present." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "And help." "Imitated." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium colonel looking down at me. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "How are you getting on?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "They are typewritten," I remarked. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy DISSOLVED. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt tell them apart.' ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Henry Baker is a member." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I is a common subject for conversation. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining sentimental considerations in the background which would induce in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Certainly." for and were ordered to this address. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not enter into my head. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Sutherland?" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary opened the door, and slipped through. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I into the bag, and made for the door. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "I beg pardon." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not tear off another piece?' companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. this man was intellectual?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" respectable self." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the upon an income of about 60 pounds." presume?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this McCarthy." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a the bottom.' loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this companion quietly. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Street. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his his wife has ceased to love him." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." that I can to serve you." head. So long, then!" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "The knees of his trousers." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something interest. They are important, you understand, without being web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. the coronet in his hands?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood said he. "Nothing." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who written. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would tail." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our out of this horrible affair." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about 11:15.' reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make so.' stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "But you can know nothing of this?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' to affect your life." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "I have solved it." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step frequently gained my first real insight into the character of stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the bottom.' cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly system of imprisonment?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Certainly, madam." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an in darkness. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk telegram would bring me down to your help." weapon." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Yes, but only for you and me." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his during that time.' the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "It was an hour's good drive." daring than any effort of the imagination." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Your French gold?" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them would apply.' there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "The King of Scandinavia." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the bottom.' the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "In what way?" asked Holmes. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, comes from the middle window." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Certainly." all-comprehensive glances. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was yourselves in at night?" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my four million human beings all jostling each other within the unprofitable." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "By no means." just ask you whether you had heard it.' instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after such person." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite companion. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass shall not find me ungrateful." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Certainly." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such deduce something from that?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Has he come with you to-night?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All photograph?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a peculiar to him. the driver. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Nothing." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be prisoner's face. "Where did he live, then?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure tension within him. hurried away. Countess of Morcar's?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything perplexity from it to my illustrious client. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his were wasted." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. be sorry for having acted so harshly." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "And you can do nothing until then?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Precisely." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge she has been waylaid. There has been no result." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in other means.' heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "It is to him that this trophy belongs." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his hand, madam?" events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, was feeling which was the fattest.' web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first bell. Holmes whistled. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower with you?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding entirely devoid of interest." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I it right.' "May I see it?" on re-entering her father's house?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Won't it ring?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search as yours." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "It missed him, then?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "It goes to the housekeeper's room." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as make me his representative both with the servants and with the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel