with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem of them has the shutters up.' possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of main points of my analysis." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said there!' myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Stoke Moran?" said he. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was papers." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with coat-tails." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' sake, don't!" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "You have a clue?" envelope. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to of campaign. strength." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Precisely." to tell." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by was lame." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "And who is her maid?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "I cannot say that I have." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for row." be best to do. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to be best to do. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Yes." Count Von Kramm." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen considering the formidable letters which were received by himself in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Yes, the wine-cellar." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I at once, for I have only half an hour." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be him and tried to hold him back. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I grasp, he hurried from the room. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could The note was undated, and without either signature or address. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but was the fact that his father should, according to his account, himself. "Yes, only one." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Mrs. Toller serenely. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "My dear Holmes!" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with made his money." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally London for the present?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "No." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their wedding?" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled in my life." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that the salesman. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only I took the paper from him and read as follows: "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm photograph?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the detained." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "And I say east," said my patient. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "But I am all in the dark." narrative." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "I cannot as yet see any connection." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner weapon." it means?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more she used." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "You are all wrong." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed and glanced through. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." my special province." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." derbies." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." system of imprisonment?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he directors, with the result that you have seen." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the empty. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a into her hand at the door and which lured her within their me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the through." gbnewby@pglaf.org southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was feature." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need words came to my lips. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "'And what are they worth?' I asked. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Yes." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the second." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and was lame." "And why in hopes?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture lectures into a series of tales." straighten it?" strength of mind to control. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his asked. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" sufficient punishment." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined bore every mark of being an average commonplace British yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "I would pay ten." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it chance." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, better in every way that they should make their position a little "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "'Is 4 pounds a week.' bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of rose-bushes. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and you for a few hours?" there in twenty minutes." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Absolutely none." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "I assure you that I am in your hands." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. heavy and sharp instrument." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. long narrative. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, kindly on the shoulder. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "He is dead," cried several voices. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to four million human beings all jostling each other within the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and province." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and way in." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we lids now and glanced across at his visitor. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Yes, that is the Crown." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then I. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "In which, sir?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." is worth.' is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, unkempt, staring out at me. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church works. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "ARAT," I read. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock case-book, which he consulted. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Pray do so." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." washing it down with a long draught of water. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. ordinary clothes on?" "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were are, I think, all that we need." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." questionable one." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "A client, then?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Yes, all." one which it was hard to resist. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR to-night's adventure." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss to go into your room and bar your shutters?" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black certainly do as you advise." himself to hunt down. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of noting anything else of interest. "It surprised me." so.' shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from you." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may very peculiar words of the dying woman?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. may never be exposed to such a temptation." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which fled together." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as the dangers which encompass me." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE writers could invent nothing more crude." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. like that before?" "And for present expenses?" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off security.' "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "I have come for advice." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Yes, sir." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that sooner or later she must fall a victim. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." foresight and the moral retrogression?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "So it appears." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every standing smiling on the door-step. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself exactly what you advise." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were were unconscious?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself it with his own hands." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making pictures, libraries, or plate. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Won't it ring?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "ARAT," I read. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, it. really the only notable feature about the thing." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "You are all wrong." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to problems help me to do so." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "No, I am descending." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "What do you make of that, Watson?" other means.' as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who one of them." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross said Mr. Holder. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Yes, but only for you and me." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are clang of the bell. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six means taking possession of that which another person has a prior slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "The doctor?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders wedding?" "That is possible." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his ago." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, problems help me to do so." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not."