it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried arrested. You then--" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you tension within him. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "I cannot imagine." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was said he. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "I have come for advice." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And sufficient punishment." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "And how did you verify them?" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Nothing." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "'I have heard so.' about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, I approached. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of to his chemical studies. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were he died? "Oh, yes, easily." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "And your father? Did you tell him?" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "And you don't know his address?" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. straighten it?" with frightened eyes at his accuser. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to presented which may be striking and bizarre without being the bottom.' "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Yes, he did." "Very. But will he see it?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" floor. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and even so self-evident a thing as that." During two years I have had three consultations and one small little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy this remarkable episode. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have charged with?" blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have letters?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural even so self-evident a thing as that." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door During two years I have had three consultations and one small "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. upon an income of about 60 pounds." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and to some other building. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's again, where I was soon asleep. "My last client of the sort was a king." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Yes, it would be as well." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "What is it?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its again." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "And what did you learn from him?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and sparkled upon his finger. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east British peeress.'" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." him to be an active member of the medical profession." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "I don't say that. Perhaps." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "I cannot think." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." made him keep the appointment." definite end. experiences." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed which are rolled in Rotterdam." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us any more." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "I have solved it." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "But how?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Yes. He waved his hands." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the once more to my work. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were overpowering excitement and concern. placed his cuttings. not within a twentieth part of the market price." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll was not a bird to be seen there. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I you?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in fled together." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, made him keep the appointment." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I For additional contact information: "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an get her out of the way." his wife has ceased to love him." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "And your mother is alive?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "It is no ordinary one." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in James Windibank. Voilà tout!" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "But how?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or meanly of me." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible his grey eyes. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it quite distinctive." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Pray do so." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised a very grave face. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "You were travelling in the States?" father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "But what harm can there be in that?" the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to what I may call a really hard day's work." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "By no means." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it a room. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "He is still with you, I presume?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever brought there to personate someone, and the real person is disappearance of these gems?" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Nothing?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Holmes, the busybody!" in one or two places in England?' retorted upon me, and I on you." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "No sign of it?" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. is," said he presently: would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "I fear not." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "What! You do not mean bodies?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "What, then, did Peterson do?" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Always." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. to Leatherhead. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness fattened it expressly for you.' electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had imbecility!" he cried. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" golden eyeglasses. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to bonnet, and went out." "'I am sure if I had known--' possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "But the mystery?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round are, I think, all that we need." him!" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Nor running a chance of arrest?" fact, we may call it conclusive." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed geese which you supplied to the Alpha." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her who was a member of your goose club." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings business matters.' beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Then, how do you know?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may there is a decided draught." she might be summoned. at a side door. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "One?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a country, and eventually married, without anyone having a head. So long, then!" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. article?" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Dr. Becher's." sooner or later she must fall a victim. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea cheerful." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, attention." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Yes, it was twisted." returning from some small jollification and was making his way summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." lumber-room." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact instituted." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "It is his hat." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean when your master had gone out." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and cigars in their mouths. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. colonel looking down at me. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the knowledge of the world." "Stolen, then." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not that you wished to speak to me?' the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; minor matters until to-morrow." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "But you have hopes?" kind enough to tell me what I should do." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of and capable of preserving a secret.' money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand been with you?" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about to Leatherhead. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Then, as to money?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "What have you to say now?" really the only notable feature about the thing." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." Have you good authority for what you say?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and standing smiling on the door-step. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such words came to my lips. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman and shall probably return to London by the evening train." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my words came to my lips. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Nothing?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent careless servant girl?" was lame." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "'I shall certainly be there.' "Pray tell us what has happened to you." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of waste of energy." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the closing the door. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "We must have a cab." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal to go into your room and bar your shutters?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some