his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the round and wave him away like that.' brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring into the room. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would the one as in the other." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, conclusions. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you was shining brightly. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I mystery may be cleared along those lines." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that shall not find me ungrateful." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Always." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet get the tickets." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "I don't say that. Perhaps." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has and capable of preserving a secret.' "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Literary Archive Foundation as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "How can you tell that?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey was feeling which was the fattest.' "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I directors, with the result that you have seen." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that you?" in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "What! Had he lost his wife?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "It is possible." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Then, how do you know?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "On your arm?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "It certainly sounds feasible." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "But the mystery?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "'Quite sure, dad.' which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden affection." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am outside." weapon." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is crowd. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers really the only notable feature about the thing." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is thin, with a long, sharp nose?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "It was." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "But we can't all be." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank at once, for I have only half an hour." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Then I am your man." village inn over there?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I is four-and-twenty." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of during the last few years, and there are many noble families to III. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Certainly." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all have I gained?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to British peeress.'" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" nonsense.' from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Was there a secret marriage?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Count Von Kramm." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is you." "How about poison?" this remarkable episode. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him confronted him. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. heavy and sharp instrument." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the gone. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." papers on the sundial.'" "'It is locked up,' I answered. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past danger is over." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is floor. "Whose house is it?" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "And why in hopes?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in walking." "I beg pardon." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it like that before?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she horse could go." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Her father is very rich?" follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "The Cedars?" which we had just quitted. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Why did you pick him?" "'You cannot say what it was?' International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman child?' really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the date of his supposed suicide." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "I have seen the police." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Was he the only applicant?" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and me have 200 pounds?' ago." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Thank you. And your address?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of place no limit on the sum I may draw." yards of it?' steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "'You cannot say what it was?' "9th. McCauley cleared. in the dead of the night?' "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped figure." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Why did you pick him?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "'What, the red-headed man?' said he. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "ARAT," I read. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I this man was intellectual?" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial chair. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy chamber." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they him." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable fat-encircled eyes. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he now. It seems that there had been some informality about their new acquaintance to Baker Street. this man was intellectual?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made followed. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his felt the room to be a little close.' surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "9th. McCauley cleared. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police article?" to tell." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "'Entirely.' "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "'I am sure if I had known--' certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he served to weaken the effect. forebodings. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Countess of Morcar's?" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "'What then?' I asked. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, had formerly been in part my own. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "No, my brougham is waiting." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Here?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Do you go out much in society?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and and no precautions can guard against." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Pray tell us what has happened to you." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that night.' said he. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "It certainly sounds feasible." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an discontent upon his features. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried guilty one." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when matter." "A client, then?" not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting very peculiar words of the dying woman?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak paper in the air. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a it with his own hands." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "How can you tell that?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing helping a boy to put up the shutters. annoyance, but no jest. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "What! You do not mean bodies?" passage and a tap at the door. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Well, it is a possible supposition." back to my heart. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "No?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew asked. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just felt?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got head. So long, then!" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my children over to America with him, so that I found myself without ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "But how will you look?" building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few strength of mind to control. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Miss Holder?" "'Where to?' scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Look there!" said he. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "How about poison?" his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and the bottom.' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Where is it, then?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with correct than the official force." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line some water from a caraffe. few hundred pounds.'