"Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. fire. You quite follow me?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible excitement. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "'You cannot say what it was?' insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Murdered?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "He is dead," cried several voices. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was and the colonel ushered me in. burst out into a roar of laughter. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of wedding?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, hurried away. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can passage and a tap at the door. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, his cane at the bell-pull. to-night's adventure." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to you in your example." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport burst out into a roar of laughter. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to triumphant cloud from his cigarette. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Her father is very rich?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a useful material for showing traces. The double line a little green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I infinite languor in his face. States. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Here?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Serpentine Avenue. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such disturbance in my wife." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "'Yes, sir.' elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with this remarkable episode. The events in question occurred in the early days of my uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Was your sister dressed?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm system of imprisonment?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and it. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be you want, then?' "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "'In my own bureau.' The note was undated, and without either signature or address. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Did he not advertise?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp when your master had gone out." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But think, you have already met." congratulate you again." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "I came to find a friend." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Well." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite anything to do with the matter?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' will not take me long to tell. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "I don't believe it." cheerful." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it done what I asked you, Jones?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was residence of the great financier. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old to talk it over. was lame." "When did it break out?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was again before evening." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. like that before?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found pressing in one house as in another. that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Holmes, the busybody!" ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Have you it here?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project occupations.' "You were travelling in the States?" "No?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, interested in these little problems, and since you are good something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "But you were on a friendly footing?" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed the house with me." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "They are typewritten," I remarked. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. distinguish the words: self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of crackling voice. way in everything. You want to know what became of those geese?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "But you can know nothing of this?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was foot. has little to do with my story." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. mystery may be cleared along those lines." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Yes, at the mines." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "About a month then." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of it were putty." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes yet." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present will not take me long to tell. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "By no means." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my think that he is innocent?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a presented more singular features than that which was associated "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'Certainly not.' "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I and the colonel ushered me in. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The miles off. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "But I am all in the dark." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "The murder was done with it." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "I know where it is." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Then the page we have seen--" should be so warm over such a trifle." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Yes." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "'And what salary do you ask?' tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'Certainly not. But why?' night.' said he. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "He said too much." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the flock.' said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Not in a good cause." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH green of the new foliage. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush hardly wander." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature murdered man." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a second." to take care of herself." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not better grown goose." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. throat." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Yes." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for where we are going." "Where did he live, then?" few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "'Not at all. I only doubt--' lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his when you have done it." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to nonsense.' springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in to-morrow." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Yes. He waved his hands." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." opportunities to fix the problem. noting anything else of interest. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of go from here to the Strand." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia became a certainty. Pope's Court. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "And the murderer?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the congenial hunt. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the disturbance in my wife." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "I should wish to." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "That was it, sir." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "A call for help, you thought?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the during that time.' monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a better in every way that they should make their position a little estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Lee, in the county of Kent." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with father's place of business?" "Yes." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "And Miss Sutherland?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between guilty parties." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat be. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you you want, then?' kindly on the shoulder. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own were wasted." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. detained." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." from you?" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Indeed! Whose, then?"