floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and back to my heart. "It's nothing of the kind." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." what is your own theory as to what took place?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set with you?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and leave you to your papers for a little." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "How did you deduce the select?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she me where it went to?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Who by?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a thin legs towards the fire. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the lips." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in a little more before I quite committed myself. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which looking up at the numbers of the houses." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in details." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, which it had come upon my father." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried gbnewby@pglaf.org already referred to. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. the room while you explain this matter?" "Witness: I must still refuse. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he lectures into a series of tales." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive door?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of up this clue while it is still hot." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE system of imprisonment?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah that you saw all that I did." "I will do it." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a enough to aid us in our search." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this ran thus: eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a the Assizes." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Where to?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Was she in good spirits?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should dates and names. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Nothing." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "And Miss Sutherland?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "What?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man she to prove their authenticity?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "'Entirely.' With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. definite end. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he fait accompli?" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I go--none." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one in his hands." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and thin legs towards the fire. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There outbreak?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the is a common subject for conversation. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm she might be summoned. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. carriage. It was a chestnut." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the opened the door, and slipped through. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still vault. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a stammered. "It is no ordinary one." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his read it out to me." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon this as likely?" "A confidential servant?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on six. Come in!" will be renamed. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, leaning back in his chair. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that strength." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Why, what do you mean?" you in yours." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Always." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "I should like to see him very much." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "But how will you look?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little main points of my analysis." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "At what time?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful becomes even more simple." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And once more. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other tail." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." chance." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she forehead. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "I am in hopes that she does." address. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have was keenly on my guard against him. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "'And what are they worth?' I asked. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "You have the photograph?" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I some city in a dream. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But maid will bring up your coffee." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "How are you getting on?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' habit of advancing money.' spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "I would pay ten." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Which are?" which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "I would pay ten." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for formed some opinion?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will make me his representative both with the servants and with the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a cause to be." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the signal between you and your father? that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the more terrible than the truth. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. had this final quarrel? and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" and glanced through. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed said he. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Dirty?" occurred." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "To an English lawyer named Norton." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the new duties?' "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as at my remark. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every for its centre. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the ago." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name help us in this matter." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with way: seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about developed." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Of what day?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing interested in these little problems, and since you are good "One horse?" interjected Holmes. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I head. So long, then!" populous neighbourhood." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "How on earth--" are, I think, all that we need." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. that you saw all that I did." arrested. You then--" strong and stiff." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' of it with the greatest attention. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to status with the IRS. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Can I be of assistance?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will indeed happy." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Street. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded that there was nothing in it, after all." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." generous with you in money matters.' his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "My Mary? Impossible!" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be province." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge is entirely a question of barometric pressure." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock you in yours." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been mystery!" my friend's incisive reasoning. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big you?' terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Where, then, is my wife?" very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Sutherland. this as likely?" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow me." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, affection." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, foot. weapon." "Where did you address your letters, then?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical