given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as photograph?" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for done what I asked you, Jones?" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "That is it on the dressing-table." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "No, distinctly professional." "Her father is very rich?" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in him." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left carriage. It was a chestnut." furiously. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project child?' handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "An enemy?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "It missed him, then?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "'In my own bureau.' established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused forecastle of an emigrant ship. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "I don't say that. Perhaps." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look and it need not interfere very much with one's other say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." to-night." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "'You doubt its value?' he asked. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean maid will bring up your coffee." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, my special province." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' any more." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has believe that I should never have any practice at all. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I security.' method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "I was sure that I might rely on you." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the have accepted such a situation. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the he bowed and left the room without another word. "Pray do so." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "'Entirely.' "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "My Mary? Impossible!" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy guilty one." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them shoulder. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while south, for the country is more deserted there." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my 11:15.' Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "But how?" something of him before." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of populous neighbourhood." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "No, I am descending." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Certainly, madam." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "'Oh, no.' Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in asked. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "When did it break out?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the out of this horrible affair." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" to-night." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his man. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a just ask you whether you had heard it.' errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon said Mr. Holder. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local there when the Rucastles went away." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong habit of advancing money.' justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that are windows in it, of course?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Literary Archive Foundation dear old homesteads?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Well, it is a possible supposition." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Was she in good spirits?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." cigars in their mouths. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "What then?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Really! You surprise me." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of been." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in generous with you in money matters.' down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke at once, for I have only half an hour." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special carpenter." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "10th. John Swain cleared. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "That was it, sir." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, galvanised. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Was your sister dressed?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the behind me. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel article?" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "But of what society?" fishes. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as how narrow had been my escape. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Perfectly so." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and which we had just quitted. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "And from a noble client?" him to go away.' to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, felt the room to be a little close.' inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we tell me that you intended to go into harness." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "An enemy?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure new duties?' "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "But she will refuse." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary you, my dear young lady?' ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would the warnings." forbidden door. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of You want to know what became of those geese?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "The Cedars?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about lost nothing by them." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It developed." "'Yes, it was gone.' the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "An enemy?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought hour." drawing your inferences." not within a twentieth part of the market price." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a head. So long, then!" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you details." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in quickly through a disagreeable task. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is distinguish the words: returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "A client, then?" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm the morning and make my own way in the world.' spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known with you alone." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in before the coroner and the police-court." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we touch that coronet?' "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, interest. They are important, you understand, without being from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "You are all wrong." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the coronet in his hand?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be burst out into a roar of laughter. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "This photograph!" "'Yes, I promise.' "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the may never be exposed to such a temptation." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "He disappeared so suddenly." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter there in twenty minutes." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Where did he live, then?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "That is easily got." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Then I shall certainly come." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is your co-operation." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of anything to a woman, for she would have her way." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Then, as to money?" to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Were they all fastened this morning?" awkward doing business with an alias." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Nor running a chance of arrest?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. morning." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "The landlord of the Alpha." "That's no good." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too