"I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, you do it in twenty minutes!' a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; careless servant girl?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there became a certainty. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to crime. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Was your sister dressed?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as think, you have already met." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, any." "To an end?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "I am following you closely," I answered. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I you." me upon any point which I do not make clear." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a of the one which your family is now devouring." "A call for help, you thought?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." the house with me." did not hear it also.' strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, the child." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he constraint." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "No more words. Get out!" "Not I." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you absorbing." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was this unhappy family?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Whose house is it?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have never came back." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send entirely lost his self-respect." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police outbreak?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "No more words. Get out!" "Her father is very rich?" his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Sholtos." "What will you say?" I approached. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a infinite languor in his face. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "That you are never beaten." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "But we can't all be." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with residence of the great financier. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a I. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Proceed, then." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open see a sister of mine apply for." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish taking in every detail of the apartment. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless fear." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I there." was a loud and authoritative tap. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "I am still in the dark." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be me, and I could not think that his explanation of the him, that man would not have given me such complete information unprecedented a position." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Of what?" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the that you wished to speak to me?' lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "You saw the ventilator, too?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Dr. Gregory B. Newby and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless unprecedented a position." ordinary clothes on?" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you of a light. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. best detective that ever lived. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "To an end?" "How are you getting on?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "How many? I don't know." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to sparkled upon his finger. your room." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." entirely lost his self-respect." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing strode off upon his way. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the or in danger--" "Yes, only one." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "He said that you could solve anything." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed sparkled upon his finger. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "The rest you will leave in our hands." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A I nodded again. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his companion quietly. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I that I can to serve you." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his to a light-house. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off became a certainty. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" for the market.' intrusion of other matters." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "But how did you gain them?" annoyance, but no jest. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you questioning and rather startled gaze. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to London for the present?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I that, and I came down." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. observed. is a common subject for conversation. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "The Coroner: What do you mean? Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower key turn in the lock." "I should wish to." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle evidence," I remarked. "Witness: It was. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project and the whole place is in a blaze." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "My dear Holmes!" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be could not account in any way for the presence of the missing You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I hurried by. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "What I expected to see." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing ways of our fellow-men." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Stoke Moran?" said he. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I wedding?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I unprofitable." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an has little to do with my story." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. get the tickets." "'Certainly not. But why?' found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "On the contrary, this is the right side." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "This concluded the examination of the witness." there in twenty minutes." returned to France?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Yesterday." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. it were putty." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because round and wave him away like that.' rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. weapon." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody not, dad?" she asked. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a place, I think that there is good ground to think that the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Only as much as we can deduce." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. my secret was safe in his possession. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest have been better. It is all right." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "I am armed." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four them present such singular features as the strange train of always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers of them has the shutters up.' have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his stalked out of the room. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora the morning and make my own way in the world.' help us in this matter." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a your Highness to the police-station?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the weighed down with some great anxiety. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of call it cruel." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Leadenhall Street--and--" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the manager. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Always." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no go from here to the Strand." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the the very morning of the wedding." II. name is different." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "The knees of his trousers." Holmes." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "How did you trace it, then?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Yesterday." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. into the bag, and made for the door. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her forecastle of an emigrant ship. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Won't it ring?" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "In what way?" asked Holmes. gives a meaning to it." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my union?" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted one of them." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my get the tickets." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have my little problems." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock in this way: be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." nights." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose what is your own theory as to what took place?" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "He might." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to again." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Stolen." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "No, I am descending." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. introspective fashion. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen eat it." bird of prey. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have the room while you explain this matter?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both and looked back. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of over with notes and figures. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "No more words. Get out!" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Your French gold?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that held up the lantern and gazed about him. "It certainly sounds feasible." bill, which interests me deeply." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, visitors." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge said he at last. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he written. chair. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "'No, I know no one in these parts.' tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her