and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been may have an influence upon European history." little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Ah!" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who posted to-day." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our true." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Holmes rather sternly. "Could he throw no light?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "I cannot say that I have." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "'Certainly not. But why?' front of me. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "At half-wages, in fact." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the answer." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. at my remark. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the Assizes." friend's singular character. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it as the one I chose?' left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may him!" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found your troubles." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Foundation and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "At half-wages, in fact." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring woven round him. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "And you can do nothing until then?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a manager. the general public were present, then?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "How do you know, then?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's feature." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried him." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set empty. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary handed it to him. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for his cane at the bell-pull. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Not him." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from he bowed and left the room without another word. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was know all about it," he snarled. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong which our visitor detailed to us. "It was an hour's good drive." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "It missed him, then?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, photograph a cabinet?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "I was afraid that you were engaged." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "And on what day did he meet his death?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has breakfast." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a returned to France?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." carried out of court." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Proceed, then." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. hand, madam?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the station." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated writer." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few correct than the official force." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." furiously. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future overpowering excitement and concern. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three not within a twentieth part of the market price." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I there were one or two details which were new to me. But the me. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather future lives." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be humiliation." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "It is to him that this trophy belongs." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Seven!" I answered. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "That is easily got." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Yes?" business?" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he business." "But she will refuse." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our companion quietly. "'I have heard so.' "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, together. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At opened the door, and slipped through. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "You will not go there first?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress morning." together. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I anything to a woman, for she would have her way." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his feature." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly prison!" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the there is a decided draught." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "One of the highest in England." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "And your mother is alive?" "I say it is." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which to Leatherhead. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass think you a quite exceptional woman." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." towards the blaze. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not second." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "It is to him that this trophy belongs." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly before, for it was considerably after midnight. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "How long did she speak to this Alice?" planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But bed dies. Does not that strike you?" places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed lost nothing by them." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was this man was intellectual?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save was a loud and authoritative tap. "'Ample.' ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a it." heavy and sharp instrument." colour had been driven from his face. the general public were present, then?" "You have but to name it." in this note: of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "It came here." all?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not young Openshaw's." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right strength." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Arthur Conan Doyle business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "In the cells." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." affection." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "No?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. I shall continue with my miserable story. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, a very grave face. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" morning." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue note?" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of that I can to serve you." place no limit on the sum I may draw." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I into the bag, and made for the door. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "I am following you closely," I answered. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day cup of tea. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send *** START: FULL LICENSE *** where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little suspect him." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an morning." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal and a shock of very red hair. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Pray do so." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical opportunities to fix the problem. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of in this way: hair?' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could been anything against him. He had for years been known as a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "I have come for advice." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than http://www.gutenberg.net vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Oh, the cause is excellent!" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "It is possible." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in help us in this matter." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but and no precautions can guard against." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. Eyford at 11:15.' "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. thirty. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and I held the little printed slip to the light. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Pray do so." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "When did she vanish, then?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the where she found matters as described by the last witness. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and following enigmatical notices: "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and a room. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to in the dead of the night?' "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside