there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. was not a bird to be seen there. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the London for the present?" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "I know where it is." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. if I call to-morrow?" air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Which surely he restored to their owner?" wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking case-book, which he consulted. back into the street. to tackle the facts." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "No, I think that I'll take it." way: head. So long, then!" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a go from here to the Strand." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining round with crates and massive boxes. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Dirty?" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "In which, sir?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. anything to do with the matter?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the present." trifles." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "You were travelling in the States?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have which are rolled in Rotterdam." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "When did she vanish, then?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some in a friendly supper." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. your only hope of safety." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of lectures into a series of tales." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of you for a few hours?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that emerged. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got do." weighed down with some great anxiety. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "My dear Holmes!" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest appeal." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and seen the man in the road." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. London for the present?" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "I will get her to show me." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of Holmes' thin, eager face. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my detective. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new train.' having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the as he folded up the epistle. papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Ah, but I was recommended to you." other means.' "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered very morning of my second wedding." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "I think it very unlikely." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "How did that help you?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in presume?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the is so. I know all about McCarthy." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled John Swain, of St. Augustine. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without not fit the lock." asked. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair wanted for ourselves." vault. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with ill-usage at the hands of fortune. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and shaken than I had ever seen him. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Not in the least." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the any little problem which you may submit to me." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the and wait." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Yes." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Oh, yes, easily." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Ample." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Project Gutenberg-tm works. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE power." "Was your sister dressed?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "To an end?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his away into the river." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' to-night?' enough to aid us in our search." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Where did you address your letters, then?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this business matters.' the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Awake, Watson?" he asked. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "I shall be delighted." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Pray continue your narrative." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you about here speaks of his kindness to him." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, has little to do with my story." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the warnings." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Very truly yours, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "I fear not." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and digesting their breakfasts at home." "I think that it is very probable." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, said he at last. unprofitable." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the cheerful." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the we went to search for him, face downward in a little journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "What, then?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Yes. He waved his hands." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove peculiar to him. "Of what?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I some place of shelter and let the county police know what has own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "'Which dealer's?' One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any looking up at the numbers of the houses." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "That is unusual in a young girl." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His chance." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my quite distinctive." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' asked. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the south, for the country is more deserted there." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. said he at last. "I will, Miss Turner." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. affection." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said and it need not interfere very much with one's other incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding in the port of London." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Yes, certainly." "I assure you that I am in your hands." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to four million human beings all jostling each other within the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "'As governess?' thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, happened." bonnet, and went out." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Nothing?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "A call for help, you thought?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her chair. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his individual and becomes the badge of a society." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' the side-table." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came have I gained?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. would then never go into court at all." "I will do it." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than three fields round his house, and there he would take his Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter indeed happy." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about late!' some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and along the entire front of the house, with three long windows green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" stammered. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure sit on the left-hand side of the driver." vanished into the darkness. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Has he come with you to-night?" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. night.' said he. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "9th. McCauley cleared. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "She will not sell." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the direction." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what and all of them with the keenest interest. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and empty. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "No, no, the mystery!" I cried.