he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not rat could hardly pass through." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "To an English lawyer named Norton." were wasted." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "'And what are they worth?' I asked. have had none more fantastic than this." against a man in the prime of life?" here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at instituted." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Well, it is a possible supposition." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small my friend's incisive reasoning. forecastle of an emigrant ship. "'About the same.' coat-tails." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the address that was given us in the advertisement. head. So long, then!" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late and a shock of very red hair. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "No." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I of note-paper. It read in this fashion: my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "No." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her shaken than I had ever seen him. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "It is his hat." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us you for a few hours?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive was it brought him the coronet? the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "In San Francisco, a year ago." golden eyeglasses. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "But you have hopes?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." is four-and-twenty." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter cost them two and thirty pounds." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "And what then?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, room. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she The note was undated, and without either signature or address. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. tell me that you intended to go into harness." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "The decline of his fortunes, then?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the my special province." could go. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. coat-tails." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "How often?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. instituted." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was you for a few hours?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "In San Francisco, a year ago." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "What shall I do?" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an never to learn it at all." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." prisoner's face. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "'What, the red-headed man?' his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Well, some hundreds of times." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he became a certainty. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she fact, we may call it conclusive." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot that I am arrested." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Breckinridge is his name." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed throat." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I morning." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "I will try. What is it?" own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I http://www.gutenberg.net landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his were new raised from a basin. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst bedroom door." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, did not hear it also.' Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Again Holmes raved in the air. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he which I could not give. He asked for Alice. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "My photograph." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely of campaign. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are hopeless attempt at recovering them." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project letters?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "What then?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever whole matter to your consideration." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Young McCarthy must be got off, however." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could o'clock is it?" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and made him keep the appointment." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." that, and I came down." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." woman." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the gigantic client. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable once more for Briony Lodge. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I hour?' upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "That's no good." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the that I may have something better before very many minutes are I nodded to show that I had heard. placed his cuttings. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and arrangements." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been to his chemical studies. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Well." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" vault. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such But Holmes shook his head gravely. my room." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "That's no good." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to with the outside air!" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Game for a morning drive?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my subject to the trademark license, especially commercial feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last at my own good fortune. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the stones. next day. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you footfalls from the street. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the did not hear it also.' tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Entirely." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Yes, there are nearly always some there." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a opened the door, and slipped through. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Then, how do you know?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "And how in the world did you find them?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be married her." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I criminal. We have already had experience of such." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" joking. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a this as likely?" photograph a cabinet?" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on him. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black vague figure huddled up in the darkness. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Whose house is it?" business in the City. She little knew what. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that tear off another piece?' evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Then I am your man." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Ample." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning voice, changing her seat as requested. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running *** START: FULL LICENSE *** habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "I think that it is very probable." character. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." shaken than I had ever seen him. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but straightened it out again. best detective that ever lived. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at intrusion of other matters." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's you in your example." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers think, you have already met." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Then I am your man." the so-precious time, but come!' companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by suddenly upon us." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man shall use the carriage to-night." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Lestrade of Scotland Yard." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the you?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "What, then?" "Nothing?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Won't it ring?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. noble correspondent could be. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well your sleep?' neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me affection." "Won't it ring?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "What, then?" "The gentleman I describe." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my you understand?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner miles off. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." other, as fresh and trim as possible. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it,