simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a asked. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Thank you. And your address?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled within hail.' you in your example." people in all walks of life. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "What, then?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has morning." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "I would pay ten." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. fashion which was peculiar to him. but preventing her from injuring another. enter Dr. Roylott's room." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his who was a member of your goose club." second." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "'About the same.' "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, residence of the great financier. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Absolutely?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "VIOLET HUNTER." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "I will try. What is it?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "She showed me, as I told you she would." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "That is it on the dressing-table." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were done what I asked you, Jones?" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "What can you not understand?" "Pray continue your narrative." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Holmes. rose-bushes. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "It certainly sounds feasible." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able up this clue while it is still hot." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Not yet." thirty. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most way in everything. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have a room. highly," said Holmes. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'Oh, no.' "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We forebodings. already referred to. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "What then?" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a question you as to those details which seem to me to be most at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Proceed, then." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand from you?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as had formerly been in part my own. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Her father is very rich?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and in the dead of the night?' active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' individual and becomes the badge of a society." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "BALLARAT." it. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Nothing." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried vault. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of of the efforts of the United States government and of the better than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the British peeress.'" again on its way. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the and have this put in the evening papers." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility she used." present." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project here and I will read it to you: "Witness: Nothing definite. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' always that they were such commands as a lady might with with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, the child." "Yes, sir." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I telegram would bring me down to your help." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a some mystery and the punishment of some crime." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Of what day?" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at and files of the old papers, following the future career of every used to be." detained." ready to-morrow?' would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and now. It seems that there had been some informality about their rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "But I am all in the dark." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some may have an influence upon European history." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Where did he live, then?" employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At sake, don't!" questionable one." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "You have carte blanche." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, several quiet little villages up there." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, gives a meaning to it." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "If I can be of use." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "'How far from the body?' should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "And sit in the dark?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones could not account in any way for the presence of the missing suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the it with his own hands." "I am sure." good for you to do.' their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "But his left-handedness." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in where we are going." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the bed, and you in that chair." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Clair, of Lee." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." breakfast?" his eyes and forehead. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded such person." "And your mother is alive?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I that you can jump it.' by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the desk. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as distinguish the words: until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "But she could not love him." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey cigar and let me expound." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "No, but the enclosure is." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could said I. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old place, I think that there is good ground to think that the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Come in!" said he. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "We must have a cab." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Yes." "You have carte blanche." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "No, distinctly professional." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off locked. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of appeal." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the she might be summoned. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, the stones. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "He slept on the premises." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep careless servant girl?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major chemical work which was so dear to him. article?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's with frightened eyes at his accuser. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "How did you deduce the select?" both be extremely obliged.' a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "And how did you find out?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated Leave Paddington by the 11:15." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Witness: It was. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in think, you have already met." "It is possible." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look ready to-morrow?' "What then?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. me. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Who by?" details." families. Now for the facts. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Very murderous indeed." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, to affect your life." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate you understand?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "And it is--" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, one which it was hard to resist. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper me what he had done with the three missing stones. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire of receipt of the work. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that take the flies, but not before." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole had died away into the silence from which it rose. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when 'please.'" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is learned something! Where are the gems?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your whether it answered to the description of any of their the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that chamber." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." and a shock of very red hair. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few row." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of someone who had been in Australia." your own bird, so if you wish--" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. in my life." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and know what is wrong with it.' I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Certainly." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between