bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." fishes. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "And who is her maid?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an them?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave yards of it?' "Upon what point?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "'Where could I find him?' "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel generous with you in money matters.' were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger used to be." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" in darkness. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." someone who had been in Australia." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in as he remarks, very much against the son." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "'It is locked up,' I answered. "But what will you do?" "I say that I have solved it." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning villagers almost as much as their master. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we the stones. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Sholtos." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "You have but to name it." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." success. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and the roots. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in sparkled upon his finger. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Eyford." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "The decline of his fortunes, then?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Very much so." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. should be so warm over such a trifle." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that returned to France?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with my friend's incisive reasoning. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Lee, in the county of Kent." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from to his chemical studies. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. a room. "'There is a drive, then?' work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one his face which made him a very different person to the round, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to the bed, and you in that chair." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose nights." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard and files of the old papers, following the future career of every with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster bill, which interests me deeply." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "I would give my fortune to have them back." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon his cane at the bell-pull. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Serpentine Avenue. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of coat-tails." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "No good news?" Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and everything which you would wish to know." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Not him." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the imbecility!" he cried. his cane at the bell-pull. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, with her." "But what will you do?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away have one." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of searched, without anything being found which could incriminate but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "No." meanly of me." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that stammered. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the take the flies, but not before." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the ceiling. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed be there in time for your coming." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Yes." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "You did not overhear what they said?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down me." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" that?' a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to careless servant girl?" prepare for the new role I have to play." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a strength of mind to control. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Nothing." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" the nursery. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Why did you pick him?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They up this clue while it is still hot." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." III. investigation." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "My opinion is in no way altered." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H in his hands." third from London." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "What I expected to see." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "In which, sir?" giving me time to thank him. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but mysterious end." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a companion imperturbably. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried strange features which were associated with the two crimes which on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he such attractions and accomplishments?' will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the direction." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This you give your casting vote to?" "He might." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, not fit the lock." works. See paragraph 1.E below. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off look upon these things in a different way." father's place of business?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Again Holmes raved in the air. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "You think that he is dead?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Foundation Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door crime. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to things are very often connected not with the larger but with the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Very murderous indeed." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman prison!" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Your presence might be invaluable." "'Entirely.' "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a use an arc-and-compass breastpin." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Well." "Nothing." reach." prison!" and wait." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, nights." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "I think that it is very probable." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended fasten all the windows?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give did not hear it also.' he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came dear old homesteads?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "An enemy?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official DISSOLVED. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, within hail.' smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the fled together." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast more solid." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke emerged. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "That is it on the dressing-table." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "And your father? Did you tell him?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the towards the blaze. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who envelope. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. politicians who had been sent down from the North. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank me." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair several quiet little villages up there." go--none." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is During two years I have had three consultations and one small where we are going." at my own good fortune. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a business." to surprise her." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Yes, but only for you and me." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is coroner's jury." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, Miss Holder?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his the nursery. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "I saw her in conversation with her maid." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "What then?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." thirty. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was cigars in their mouths. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "And who is her maid?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were were new raised from a basin. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between any more." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place eavesdroppers?' "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave