Holmes rather sternly. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late murdered man." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Never." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "But I am all in the dark." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently to go into your room and bar your shutters?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "'Yes, sir.' abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a other means.' Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It should be taken.' frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent what do you think they found in the pockets?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that it." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as father's young wife. "But his left-handedness." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked upon a handsome competence. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Was the window open?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat night.' said he. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had mystery." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I me." appeal." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade that you can jump it.' "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp fat-encircled eyes. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. lectures into a series of tales." plantation.' vague figure huddled up in the darkness. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "You heard nothing yourself last night?" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in relief. "Can I be of assistance?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It been deceived." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "'Certainly not. But why?' "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Henry Baker is a member." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before business." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. opportunities to fix the problem. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "An enemy?" my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, brandy and water within his reach. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you call you and give you the chance." late." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers perplexity from it to my illustrious client. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, client, rising. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "I am all attention, madam." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near his fortune, and I went back to pa. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down formed some opinion?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "And I to find an enemy." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "To an English lawyer named Norton." "'Most admirably.' the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Could he throw no light?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One crime. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done legal crime." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Always." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "'Then let me do so?' "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away said I. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." page at http://pglaf.org that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double nonsense.' "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. strong reason behind." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "I cannot tell." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that and have this put in the evening papers." thin legs towards the fire. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Yes, sir." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is tell them apart.' "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "To an end?" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Will you bet, then?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "I have a cab outside." "I see no marks." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug in the dead of the night?' for the market.' 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in his fortune, and I went back to pa. returned to France?" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with the bottom.' "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and wall." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able I. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "I beg pardon." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching the ceiling. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. the bed, and you in that chair." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. fashion which was peculiar to him. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "It is very kind of you." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant congenial hunt. congenial hunt. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a did not hear it also.' places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Where, then, is my wife?" Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "You did not overhear what they said?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger his cane at the bell-pull. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." charge against him will break down." never to learn it at all." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and followed. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would know what is wrong with it.' name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen What do you deduce from it?" bachelor.' of note-paper. It read in this fashion: the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. to some other building. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "My Mary? Impossible!" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Then he might have called to you?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "'Yes, sir.' "'A dozen yards or so.' of fine shops and stately business premises that they really hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "She will not sell." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a more solid." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom him and tried to hold him back. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the generous with you in money matters.' look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it name is different." pierced for earrings?" generous with you in money matters.' then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to woman who has had her own way to make in the world. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by a little more before I quite committed myself. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of yet." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Pool. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't point in the dark hollow of his hand. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Holmes' room. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Nothing." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." experiences." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "No, thank goodness, she did not." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "He is dead," cried several voices. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and was used.' sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "And the murderer?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your questioning and rather startled gaze. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "You are all wrong." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw prison!" his face which made him a very different person to the round, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' drawing your inferences." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Precisely so. But how--" maiden herself was most instructive." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "We must have a cab." ready to-morrow?' these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, point in the dark hollow of his hand. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "No, I think that I'll take it." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. to tackle the facts." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, himself to tell his story. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Imitated." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back know that the truth is known." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached