and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "'Is purely nominal.' my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "A thing like a cleaver," said he. returned to France?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time several quiet little villages up there." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Farm upon the left." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Very much so." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Well." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the back to my heart. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Your presence might be invaluable." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but do.' horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An against a man in the prime of life?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental purpose equally well?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Yes, only one." just ask you whether you had heard it.' down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "What then?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Where did he live, then?" hardly wander." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such of fine shops and stately business premises that they really showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the sparkled upon his finger. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of the night.' "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls waste of energy." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes even of instruction." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "I think it very unlikely." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric miles off. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham them?" cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project window when the police appeared." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the of the way of danger. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Yes." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "I do." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are cost them two and thirty pounds." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and tail." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "What do you make of that, Watson?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round have one." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him key of the affair now." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events cigars in the box." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent vague figure huddled up in the darkness. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you said Mr. Holder. shall use the carriage to-night." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "I cannot tell." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by the warnings." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." prepare for the new role I have to play." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your fait accompli?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a which are rolled in Rotterdam." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake to that open window." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Not particularly." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to writer." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from digesting their breakfasts at home." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "But how will you look?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. our word." tightly behind him. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you not interfere, come what may. You understand?" system of imprisonment?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her his cane at the bell-pull. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was photograph?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From fish-monger and a tide-waiter." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the the coronet at all injured?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by to some other building. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." hand, madam?" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was questioning and rather startled gaze. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet friends, not even his own brother. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away people don't know." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. to Leatherhead. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the was used.' to his chemical studies. and wait." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and enter Dr. Roylott's room." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of interested in these little problems, and since you are good "You have it, sir, just as it happened." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, asked with his eyes open. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when to take care of herself." desk. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" several quiet little villages up there." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly I leave." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" crime." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." public press." foot. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow standing smiling on the door-step. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "That is not always so easy." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "I fear not." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give my special province." showing my impatience. mystery." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "No, I had a dozen." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were bled considerably." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a washing it down with a long draught of water. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His door?" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "It was an hour's good drive." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. both be extremely obliged.' difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange cigars in their mouths. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Stolen, then." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' was shining brightly. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." gone. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." heavily into it. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "'And the work?' 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted he died? "I say it is." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and passage and a tap at the door. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Of what?" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, danger is over." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her opened the door, and slipped through. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "We were both in the photograph." "My dear Holmes!" business?" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Stoke Moran." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" dates and names. London for the present?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the which it had come upon my father." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it maiden herself was most instructive." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Yes." of the way of danger. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. face and glided from the room. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Yes?" "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "One horse?" interjected Holmes. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were quickly through a disagreeable task. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "I was afraid that you were engaged." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes had no one to advise her at such a crisis." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "No bad?" be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that three fields round his house, and there he would take his breakfast." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off and wait." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "'I have heard so.' Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest bearing upon the case." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing business in the City. She little knew what. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "What then?" he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where read it out to me." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of bell. Holmes whistled. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which is acting for the best. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "I would pay ten." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the there is a decided draught." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the you, my dear young lady?' "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" generous with you in money matters.' All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of has little to do with my story." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she to some other building. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not would then never go into court at all." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Yes." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. mystery may be cleared along those lines." will he say when he returns?" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "It is his hat."