during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Very. But will he see it?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has weary and pale-looking. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. you give your casting vote to?" in my life." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in she used." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's society." "We have tried and failed." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Were they all fastened this morning?" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a you do it in twenty minutes!' Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "And is that all?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak fear." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his were unconscious?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, minor matters until to-morrow." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Not yet." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "It was an hour's good drive." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the writer." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. such attractions and accomplishments?' "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Then how many are there?" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Your presence might be invaluable." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was which was all perfectly true. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as It was close upon four before the door opened, and a time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of affection." Mary, has deserted me." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his derbies." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Perfectly so." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out tell him that I know him to be innocent." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "What shall I do?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me photograph?" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you discontent upon his features. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I that, and I came down." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by which are rolled in Rotterdam." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring highly," said Holmes. get the tickets." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you persecution?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. happened." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to get the tickets." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. thirty. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "How about poison?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "'Quite sure, dad.' between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the everything which you would wish to know." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this them, and came down just as you departed. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "How about poison?" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous way in." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where people don't know." you in yours." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after papers." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for 11:15.' "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Have you her photograph?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if night.' said he. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a noble correspondent could be. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a lectures into a series of tales." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Pope's Court. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided persecution?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Yes, only one." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong your most interesting statement." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" wall." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." never came back." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no him, that man would not have given me such complete information to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" handed it to him. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. of your young ladies.' "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was light and attacked it." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with that, and I came down." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of learned something! Where are the gems?" the little opening for the ventilator is." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "'What, the red-headed man?' repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied The telegram which we eventually received came late one night yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. hard-headed British jury." washing it down with a long draught of water. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. article?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "I will do it." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing delirious. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with digesting their breakfasts at home." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "I think that it is very probable." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "It is his hat." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. that you saw all that I did." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is to arrive at through this?" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "It's nothing of the kind." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's Foundation "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Can I be of assistance?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. felt the room to be a little close.' late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "But you were on a friendly footing?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to just called myself is not exactly my own." "No, distinctly professional." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "By no means." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes morning." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Perhaps I have." room. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to McCarthy." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my night.' said he. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Well, some hundreds of times." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Witness: It was. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small tell me that you intended to go into harness." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were daring than any effort of the imagination." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently lids now and glanced across at his visitor. one's self under obligations.' stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Miss Holder?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a have an American origin." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "And is that all?" building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Yes, sir." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "And your mother is alive?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that foot. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Stoke Moran?" said he. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her shoulder; "he's all right." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking waste of energy." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Nearly eleven." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable occupations.' home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently closing the door. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Yes." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, forebodings. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were companion imperturbably. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away vague figure huddled up in the darkness. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen been able to understand it, in a very few words. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of over his head with a sweet womanly caress. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just depend upon my doing so.' its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this shoulder. taking in every detail of the apartment. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Pray be precise as to details," said he. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "No." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Holmes' thin, eager face. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Pray be precise as to details," said he. plantation.' journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms is now desirous of getting those letters back." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your of receipt of the work. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. to take care of herself." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Yes, he did." money should be paid at once.' last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a one else, I think." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Where did he live, then?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "But she could not love him." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking pound a week." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No the window, rose as we entered. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in