He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You hour?' "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter sake, don't!" "But your client--" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, the stable lane now." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. conceal it?" your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, answered with a sidelong glance. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize went to the Alpha were town bred." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "No." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in without a word or a look. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite where Mr. Fordham shows you.' problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and the Red-headed League." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, signal between you and your father? from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout said he at last. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters key turn in the lock." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "My stepfather's business papers." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my DAMAGE. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. washing it down with a long draught of water. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of it right.' upon the sideboard." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand door?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Will you bet, then?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "No, thank goodness, she did not." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing impression behind it as though a window had gently closed day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Yes, that is the Crown." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Doctor, of the paper and the date." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Has he come with you to-night?" "You have the photograph?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End humiliation." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I criminal. We have already had experience of such." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the chemical work which was so dear to him. "And how in the world did you find them?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City little adventures." "An enemy?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the really the only notable feature about the thing." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same writer." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Not yet." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying of Mr. Rucastle's." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying works. See paragraph 1.E below. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving said he. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "You think so, too?" Henry Baker is a member." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Lee, in the county of Kent." question," said Holmes, smiling. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Holmes' room. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole think you a quite exceptional woman." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Yes." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most of Mr. Rucastle's." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' ways of our fellow-men." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Not social, then?" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Entirely." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his dear old homesteads?" Mary, has deserted me." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "And I." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, letters?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I cannot imagine." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Yes, it would be as well." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining back into the street. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "There is the writing." towards the blaze. locked. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, through." relief. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Very truly yours, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who conclusions. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Who by?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Cross for the Continent." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "He disappeared so suddenly." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No closing the door. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "But who is he?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to danger is over." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, careless servant girl?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little heavy and sharp instrument." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. digesting their breakfasts at home." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to good-night and bustled off upon her way. mysterious business." are, and they are waiting for us." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Never." shoulder; "he's all right." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "No, I am descending." "She told me to ask you." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like you, my dear young lady?' and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The had formerly been in part my own. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the very old mansion. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become the address that was given us in the advertisement. "No." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his room had already been engaged for us. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Yes." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were companion quietly. shaken than I had ever seen him. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Never." acquaintance?" unkempt, staring out at me. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "The landlord of the Alpha." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant him and tried to hold him back. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for sake, don't!" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there already been minutely examined." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed them, and came down just as you departed. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, burst out into a roar of laughter. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Never." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." intrusion of other matters." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, congenial hunt. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which that threaten you." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, as yours." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner a monotonous occupation." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey residence of the great financier. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. yet." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Yes." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was you?' is a common subject for conversation. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." For additional contact information: very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace gives a meaning to it." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge main points of my analysis." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her have an American origin." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had went to the Alpha were town bred." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly figure." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses becomes even more simple." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case and have this put in the evening papers." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "I beg pardon." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An tell him that I know him to be innocent." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening 1.E.9. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "So I am. Very much so." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "That is possible." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and what do you think they found in the pockets?" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your served to weaken the effect. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "'Yes, it was gone.' "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the following enigmatical notices: "Nothing." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been was a lad." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and ventilator." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand the inquest, and which are worth considering." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you was keenly on my guard against him. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my annoyance, but no jest. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in in the dead of the night?' sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was him. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit You want to know what became of those geese?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "I think that I had better go, Holmes." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Perhaps we may make them less so." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "And your father? Did you tell him?" and capable of preserving a secret.' explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would always that they were such commands as a lady might with you in yours." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his carpenter." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "And your mother is alive?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in quickly through a disagreeable task. indeed which he could not unravel. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of to surprise her." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "You are hungry," I remarked. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your about. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to and effective." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban and inquire as to the address." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key