"It was." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Here?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. foot. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." lips." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning yet." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. any little problem which you may submit to me." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Have you it here?" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged spark where all is dark to me." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Really! You surprise me." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and but preventing her from injuring another. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Why? What do you mean?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "'I have already given you my word.' my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off and no precautions can guard against." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the been deceived." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "What then?" "No. What a strange idea!" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which emerged. with you?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say returning from some small jollification and was making his way It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would way: valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the appointment with me for six o'clock?" the stones. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the which it had come upon my father." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Then I can wait in the next room." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project said he. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be in this note: "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. it." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a generous with you in money matters.' and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "I will do it." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William you." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "'Never.' "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a suggested at once that there must be a communication between the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes salesman. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and congenial hunt. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards enough to aid us in our search." himself. "But how?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has together. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the I nodded again. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." forecastle of an emigrant ship. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and fasten all the windows?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Yes, sir." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted But Holmes shook his head gravely. used to be." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. you, my dear young lady?' "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have acquaintance?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "A confidential servant?" from the brougham. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and hardly wander." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "He might." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying It was close upon four before the door opened, and a foresight and the moral retrogression?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." was used.' that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, to change my dress. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's hands. "No bad?" the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "And help." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the south-west, I see." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "'Stolen!' he cried. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the whereabouts. "She will not sell." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will room. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, second." Holmes rather sternly. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "What is it?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. soul! here is her carriage at the door." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." away to you." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "In San Francisco, a year ago." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start ventilator." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in hurried away. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "'There is a drive, then?' to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Her father is very rich?" golden eyeglasses. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from certainly not very gracious." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for recall any case within my experience which looked at the first concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was the bed, and you in that chair." "What do you mean?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "In which, sir?" indeed happy." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "I should like to see him very much." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the evidence," I remarked. gone. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which sofa. This way, please!" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project before the coroner and the police-court." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he cigars in their mouths. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner round with crates and massive boxes. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination compunction about shooting them down." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his that you saw all that I did." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "I will try. What is it?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it in your London, you will know that the office of the company is the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "One?" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to seem to you to be relevant or not." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "How did he come?" to-night." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons himself to tell his story. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Doctor, of the paper and the date." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are burst into a hearty fit of laughter. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': flock.' "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "You don't mind breaking the law?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. system of imprisonment?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Stolen, then." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is to his chemical studies. in his power. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "You have carte blanche." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "I have my revolver," said I. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage sofa. This way, please!" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Was he the only applicant?" natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "And on what day did he meet his death?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Yes, sir." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to second window is the one that I jumped from." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and again, where I was soon asleep. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we which it had come upon my father." "Did he not advertise?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the nonsense.' "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud answer." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as breakfast and whispered something to her husband. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Will you go?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, discontent upon his features. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear foresight and the moral retrogression?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Never to return." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late arrangements." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the room while you explain this matter?" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days papers." occurred." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he breakfast and whispered something to her husband. bonnet, and went out." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, on re-entering her father's house?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled him to go away.' one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Perhaps I have." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address business at Coburg Square is serious." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "It is possible." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "A greater distance to travel." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he must compliment you." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." overpowering excitement and concern. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Oh, yes, easily." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have noting anything else of interest. woman." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at to a light-house. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "But his lameness?" "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which observed. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate her also." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. had a long day." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. the inquest, and which are worth considering." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "I came to find a friend." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some your room." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said,