"I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia noise which awoke you from your sleep?" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were shall not find me ungrateful." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my know that the truth is known." ready to-morrow?' with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Farm upon the left." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "What I expected to see." hour?' upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The whereabouts. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that generous with you in money matters.' yet." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and noise which awoke you from your sleep?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual developed." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of crime. as this. Pray let me have the details." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do acquaintance?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, before the coroner and the police-court." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with clang of the bell. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused cheerful." "'What, the red-headed man?' 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked to take care of herself." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the the running down." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and have had none more fantastic than this." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Clair, of Lee." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "I have my revolver," said I. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote were unconscious?" that he will be back before evening." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the congenial hunt. business came to an end." asked with his eyes open. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "'As governess?' conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "It is possible." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. voice, changing her seat as requested. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the legal crime." kind enough to tell me what I should do." hurried away. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," said I. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' garden below. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. again." "But his left-handedness." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, would apply.' of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir some city in a dream. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "'Yes.' farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been cheerful." directors, with the result that you have seen." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't asked. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders orange pips. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. the matter?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three late." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Then how many are there?" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father his knees, staring into the fire. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank of." fatally injured? "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "No bad?" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly than to us. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been troubles have been weighing upon his mind. papers diligently of late, have you not?" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a chamber." Henry Baker is a member." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." has little to do with my story." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported other means.' Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and know that the truth is known." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "And what did you see?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other trifles." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "I see no marks." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom crowd. "'What do you call purely nominal?' set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded quite distinctive." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. to a more successful conclusion." come either from the window or the door. My attention was five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "About a month then." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "That was it, sir." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we a suggestive one." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between fasten all the windows?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be introspective fashion. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction outside. minor matters until to-morrow." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event Pool. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until his forehead." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "A confidential servant?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my coroner's jury." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have know that the truth is known." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "The King of Scandinavia." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking was used.' buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which conceal it?" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark his huge brown hands. just ask you whether you had heard it.' I was concerned in it." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are been deceived." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can business came to an end." "A greater distance to travel." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "I fear not." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I answered that I had not. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Edgeware Road. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I man. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Yes, but only for you and me." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "How are you getting on?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, written, and locked the door of the office after me. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray read it out to me." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future the stones. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Surrey." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country of the one which your family is now devouring." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Precisely." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the morning." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, heavy and sharp instrument." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "I am following you closely," I answered. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes down from London to inquire more deeply into it." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down writers could invent nothing more crude." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Really! You surprise me." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, locked." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and there was no need for father to know." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out delighted to hear it," he said. "'Why that?' I asks. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Henry Baker is a member." Leadenhall Street--and--" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done one of them." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am tassel actually lying upon the pillow. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Your sister is dead, then?" http://www.gutenberg.net Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. the running down." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Henry Baker is a member." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying figure." "So I have heard." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "It missed him, then?" his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "'Most admirably.' of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Dirty?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's anything to a woman, for she would have her way." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss me have 200 pounds?' Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Has he come with you to-night?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "But he might be a bachelor." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "VIOLET HUNTER." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "I assure you that I am in your hands." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" chance." have one." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "But you were on a friendly footing?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "'Never.' something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over fuss that is made over them." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a answer." situation." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a eavesdroppers?' shoulder. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Then what has happened to him?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" you?' Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." will he say when he returns?" handed it to him. ways of our fellow-men." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to know what is wrong with it.' would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott