any little problem which you may submit to me." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Then, as to money?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his see me here to avoid scandal." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is I nodded to show that I had heard. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the of." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings your only hope of safety." "I shall most certainly do so." "Dark enough and sinister enough." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key was a lad." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of excitement. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private in the dead of the night?' stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just been." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "It is possible." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Of what?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Your sister is dead, then?" that facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "And I say east," said my patient. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "'Most admirably.' distance from the station, and there we found the young lady deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Yes, that is the Crown." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' towards the blaze. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old in my life." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." His smile broadened. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "I am still in the dark." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in situation." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a of." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked this unhappy family?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would heavily into it. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of room had already been engaged for us. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, your only hope of safety." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project the date of his supposed suicide." "Certainly, madam." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "We have tried and failed." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "But your client--" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a brandy and water within his reach. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "What! a murderous attack?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a simple cases which are so extremely difficult." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your to affect your life." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Miss Holder?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the night.' "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "And Miss Sutherland?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "What! You do not mean bodies?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by I shall continue with my miserable story. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "No. What a strange idea!" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to read over the extraordinary announcement. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and for its centre. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "In which, sir?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer thin legs towards the fire. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Nothing?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, sneer upon his pale face. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "ARAT," I read. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in fuss that is made over them." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which children over to America with him, so that I found myself without resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no vanished into the darkness. infinite languor in his face. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush other lovers by making love himself." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, article?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "What do you make of that, Watson?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for questioning and rather startled gaze. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "The landlord of the Alpha." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "I was afraid that you were engaged." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes your sleep?' did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "This photograph!" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the just ask you whether you had heard it.' the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "No?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and was used.' absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" other means.' understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Project Gutenberg-tm works. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to lost nothing by them." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may certainly not very gracious." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Yes, sir." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, her also." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only would apply.' "Is he quiet?" "The gentleman I describe." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he again." "None." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 returning from some small jollification and was making his way fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "What shall I do?" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup situation." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the brandy and water within his reach. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "An enemy?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying shoulder. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would miles off. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. legal crime." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very appeal." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered appeal." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of gentleman's clothes. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove companion imperturbably. "Stoke Moran?" said he. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the nights." in him." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "It is a murder, then?" Holmes' face clouded over. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to might help us?" peculiar to him. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted leave you to your papers for a little." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "No, thank goodness, she did not." past. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "I was sure that I might rely on you." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "None." business at Coburg Square is serious." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the King without delay." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Which are?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "The gentleman I describe." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Pope's Court, Fleet Street." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "'Is 4 pounds a week.' matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE I think that I could be of assistance to you." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all case-book, which he consulted. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "I promise," said Holmes. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the business at Coburg Square is serious." situation." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in is," said he presently: years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. unclasping of his long thin hands. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary fuss that is made over them." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Because he was handy and would come cheap." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. ashen face. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for of the vacancies.' "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "It was." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "That's no good." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." which are rolled in Rotterdam." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these some place of shelter and let the county police know what has scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "You don't mind breaking the law?" Clair, of Lee." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "The vanishing of the lady." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to an introduction to him?" you give your casting vote to?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous redistribution. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without learned something! Where are the gems?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself