persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other people don't know." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Yes, that is the Crown." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. you want, then?' During two years I have had three consultations and one small at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful more terrible than the truth. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. words came to my lips. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if light and attacked it." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." outside. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "The Cedars?" in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You morning." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in or in danger--" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" new duties?' threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal daring than any effort of the imagination." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" the running down." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, could go. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in completely overtopped every other consideration that we both eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the prison!" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. she might be summoned. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet not come at once?" here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been congenial hunt. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as will not take me long to tell. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left public press." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Pray do so." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in companion. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "But he might be a bachelor." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. evidence," I remarked. south, for the country is more deserted there." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four everything which you would wish to know." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Well?" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "But his lameness?" saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the her also." "Stolen." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over joking. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was the child." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Where is it, then?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "You don't mind breaking the law?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' memory. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my formed some opinion?" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A examine." which was all perfectly true. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Was the window open?" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. individual and becomes the badge of a society." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that me." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "No." me upon any point which I do not make clear." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow have had none more fantastic than this." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a really the only notable feature about the thing." hair?' tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "You don't mind breaking the law?" upon the white wrist. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of her also." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no of the vacancies.' "VIOLET HUNTER." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for this truth that in these little records of our cases which you amused." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "That was it, sir." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting strength." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder situation." used to be." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. stood on the top of it. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was so.' My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a must be when I saw the door open.' continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that already referred to. "Where did you address your letters, then?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the nights." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Munro.' pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were little trying to do so much typewriting?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a outbreak?" air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I to a light-house. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other joking. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy overpowering excitement and concern. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "And what did you see?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are advice." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of as yours." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." are, I think, all that we need." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had was not a bird to be seen there. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's is worth.' road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, me have 200 pounds?' paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' whereabouts. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands she used." at home. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "But it has twice been burgled." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The all that?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom suddenly upon us." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, was used.' the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained all that?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his is entirely a question of barometric pressure." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step sparkled upon his finger. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her for securing the situation." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Was there a secret marriage?" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "And why?" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say assist you in forming an opinion." the Red-headed League." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only fire. You quite follow me?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch bell. Holmes whistled. "Entirely." the window, rose as we entered. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "A call for help, you thought?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. foot. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "In which, sir?" Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "The vanishing of the lady." conclusions. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Why did you beat the pavement?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged felt?" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic indeed which he could not unravel. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "I am about to be married." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "On the contrary, this is the right side." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Yes." throat." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small few hundred pounds.' and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have question," said Holmes, smiling. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. outsides of the windows. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings me upon any point which I do not make clear." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "No, distinctly professional." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him heavily into it. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "But how?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "I should be immensely obliged to you." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third generous with you in money matters.' necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his one else, I think." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; sofa. This way, please!" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. is four-and-twenty." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I lost his Christmas dinner." the stones. had formerly been in part my own. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Very truly yours, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "'A dozen yards or so.' been with you?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some made his money." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should