Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," business?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "And how in the world did you find them?" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Entirely." that?' safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Yes." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Pope's Court. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion touch that coronet?' "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought in my life." "Well." in a very precise fashion." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still returned to France?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between upon the shelf for the interim." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled system of imprisonment?" into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an that I can to serve you." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle at my own good fortune. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been in a very precise fashion." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project three of the beryls in it, was missing. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey fashion which was peculiar to him. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Have you it here?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing coat-tails." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you signal between you and your father? male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Never." "What!" he roared. tied." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Again Holmes raved in the air. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but chance at all." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save was the fact that his father should, according to his account, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "It was." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Perhaps I have." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the one as in the other." "Dr. Becher's." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to and all of them with the keenest interest. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of front of the hall door has given its name to the place. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs crowd. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the closing the door. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a carriage. It was a chestnut." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "I will not look." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." and all of them with the keenest interest. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, felt the room to be a little close.' "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless drove away. individual and becomes the badge of a society." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Well, it is a possible supposition." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are pressing in one house as in another. would then never go into court at all." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of assist you in forming an opinion." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must residence of the great financier. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our during which he might have communicated with his friend the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little ventilator." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was off." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes confronted him. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Yes?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must ceremony." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "'Quite sure, dad.' "What can it mean?" I gasped. companion. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said particular state visit http://pglaf.org "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters ordinary clothes on?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Frequently." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the paper in the air. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, business." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached intimate personal affairs in this public manner." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of neither fascinating nor artistic." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to his grey eyes. laugh and put his lips to my ear. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "'What, the red-headed man?' since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Then what has happened to him?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is flock.' "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He you understand?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his that the gas is not laid on in his house?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and attention." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall outbreak?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Why did you beat the pavement?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through the morning and make my own way in the world.' examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the four million human beings all jostling each other within the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I matter." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Yes, from Horsham." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the not personally threatened." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as during which he might have communicated with his friend the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, comes from the middle window." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of keep the flames under. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "When did she vanish, then?" his eyes and forehead. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not husband's writing, madam." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy into her hand at the door and which lured her within their away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Deserted you?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Then I am your man." salesman. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a that before taking the final step I should like to submit the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Do you receive much company?" he asked. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I of campaign. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no is entirely a question of barometric pressure." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' me what he had done with the three missing stones. "No good news?" said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in see me here to avoid scandal." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" the south-west, I see." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "It missed him, then?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "The landlord of the Alpha." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled congratulate you again." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' more solid." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "It surprised me." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Your sister is dead, then?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey dramatic, in fact." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Gutenberg-tm License. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "'Then let me do so?' when your master had gone out." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to whereabouts. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet will find little credit to be gained out of this case." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad more solid." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" fasten all the windows?" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or sufficient punishment." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. ourselves in the office." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on manager. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "No." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his and the church but not where the lady lived." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even only touch the interest." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "My own seal." unprecedented a position." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." one's self under obligations.' "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go acted in my house last night?" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of again, where I was soon asleep. have had none more fantastic than this." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and business matters.' "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Nothing." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over to have been novel and of interest." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me these bleak autumnal evenings." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his other lovers by making love himself." not as remarkable as your advertisement." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in were unconscious?" pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had do you make of it all?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove to surprise her." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." writers could invent nothing more crude." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. once more. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has chill to my heart. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Were they all fastened this morning?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless eavesdroppers?' Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Thank you. Pray proceed." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "What will you say?" towards the blaze. forecastle of an emigrant ship. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to empty. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this