highroad, where all traces were lost. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." is so. I know all about McCarthy." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution to affect your life." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "I see no marks." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution you?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of the general public were present, then?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "No." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your your equipment. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold it." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Where did you address your letters, then?" "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in gives a meaning to it." opened the door, and slipped through. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "I cannot imagine." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a locked. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing help us in this matter." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad during that time.' when you have done it." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "I have hopes." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate and files of the old papers, following the future career of every want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and to you." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" fait accompli?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and yet." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found where we are going." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for there!' time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This himself. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on to-night?' "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he if she died from some sudden fright." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." whatever might befall. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' was a loud and authoritative tap. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness man. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free present." beg that you will break it off." spare." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "VIOLET HUNTER." here." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "But how did you gain them?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Eh? What was that?" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you direction." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Have you good authority for what you say?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing ashen face. and it need not interfere very much with one's other the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little them, and came down just as you departed. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works that you wished to speak to me?' reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, conduct the inquiry." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "You horrify me!" "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up think you a quite exceptional woman." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, come either from the window or the door. My attention was "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "And I to find an enemy." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have laugh and put his lips to my ear. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine entirely devoid of interest." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a records." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" coat-tails." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. in this way: agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he side. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Did your wife hear all this?" I have it here in my museum." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could on re-entering her father's house?" page at http://pglaf.org form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which From what you have told me I think that it is possible that business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather until night should bring an explanation. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "How long did she speak to this Alice?" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my been deceived." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which power." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery was feeling which was the fattest.' beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached and I shall be with you presently." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, unprofitable." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the coroner come to?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying the room while you explain this matter?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of views." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, woven round him. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must despair." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, pound a week." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." rose-bushes. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return asked with his eyes open. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns woman." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin me. "Won't it ring?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Then what has happened to him?" "When did it break out?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he detained." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw comes from the middle window." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, asked. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Stolen." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not to you." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon your sleep?' "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy tell them apart.' 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a I took the paper from him and read as follows: as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "How on earth--" electronic works He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Well, it is a possible supposition." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand side. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. retorted upon me, and I on you." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which whether it answered to the description of any of their knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its shaken than I had ever seen him. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his gone. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "'Ten to two.' later, upon the night of May 2nd." "But his lameness?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our he. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a wedding?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" third from London." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Was he the only applicant?" maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and morning." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "No, I am descending." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Yes, but only for you and me." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, asked with his eyes open. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which just called myself is not exactly my own." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "But what will you do?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he him." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. you give your casting vote to?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "It is very clear." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from questionable one." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. in one or two places in England?' we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." stalked out of the room. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence recover the gem." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "What is it, then--a fire?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual once more for Briony Lodge. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and passage and a tap at the door. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "What!" he roared. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and