them, and came down just as you departed. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the fasten all the windows?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good hour." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "I cannot imagine." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the general public were present, then?" "At the wedding breakfast." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman the inner apartment." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to morning." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such the warnings." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other than was visible to me." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and his forehead." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Watson," he said cordially. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "None." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "What have you to say now?" silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his occupations.' http://www.gutenberg.net dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Ha! you find it so?" fatally injured? saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. bell. Holmes whistled. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if begin with, and I had not got mine yet." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this The events in question occurred in the early days of my far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. in one or two places in England?' can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Quite so. She has her freedom." ordinary clothes on?" said he. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "I was sure that I might rely on you." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them been anything against him. He had for years been known as a been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "'Never,' said I. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and such attractions and accomplishments?' "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing never came back." a little more before I quite committed myself. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, forehead. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. interests were the same as his." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a was the fact that his father should, according to his account, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not sake, don't!" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Where, indeed?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the waste of energy." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at entirely lost his self-respect." weary and pale-looking. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Serpentine Avenue. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "How many? I don't know." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital papers must be those that are destroyed.' through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Lestrade of Scotland Yard." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the best of training." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have populous neighbourhood." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that indeed happy." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a despair." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open with some details as to your case." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Dr. Becher's." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Whose house is it?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could The events in question occurred in the early days of my relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was bird I ate is country bred." do.' any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "One of the highest in England." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack gentleman's clothes. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "What can it mean?" I gasped. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and father's young wife. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is deduce something from that?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of is a common subject for conversation. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project do.' Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have respectable self." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Yes." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. were unconscious?" miles off. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found with you?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "But not more so than I to find you." "Deserted you?" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Get out!" said he. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given generous with you in money matters.' observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Cross for the Continent." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Entirely." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an photograph?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "'I am sure that I do not know.' know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Doctor, of the paper and the date." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It too. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little only touch the interest." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email the date of his supposed suicide." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." 1.E.9. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the always that they were such commands as a lady might with him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'Certainly,' I answered. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "'And the work?' "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." happened." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Have you her photograph?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Absolutely none." once more for Briony Lodge. "Of Friday, June 19th." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may the so-precious time, but come!' at a side door. him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Yes, sir." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way and a shock of very red hair. "What! Had he lost his wife?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a key turn in the lock." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the It may be so in this case, also." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up back into the street. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of memory. arrested. You then--" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." in this note: it? Did I buy the geese off you?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Have you her photograph?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "But you can know nothing of this?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the devil!" would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking happened." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards noting anything else of interest. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In examination of the premises, but without finding anything which shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" bachelor.' spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the to some other building. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the rose-bushes. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. neither fascinating nor artistic." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Chief Executive and Director little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "My last client of the sort was a king." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she front of me. "Of what day?" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or was it brought him the coronet? "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a six. Come in!" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "One horse?" interjected Holmes. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from the King without delay." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became maid will bring up your coffee." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been on re-entering her father's house?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. meant." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. highroad, where all traces were lost. "You have but to name it." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up bare slabs of marble. to surprise her." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, maid will bring up your coffee." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "None." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "'I have heard so.' some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting bird of prey. furiously. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "That's no good." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that one of them." answered with a sidelong glance. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' retorted upon me, and I on you." I held the little printed slip to the light. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as security.' hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they certainly do as you advise." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the derbies." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Chief Executive and Director "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to she to prove their authenticity?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Surrey." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had DAMAGE. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing tightly behind him. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited the address that was given us in the advertisement. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts out of this horrible affair." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from prepare for the new role I have to play." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, there in twenty minutes." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary States. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the south-west, I see." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" himself to tell his story. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." less than 26s. 4d. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about it." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he again." in his hands." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, sound at heart." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "You heard nothing yourself last night?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "And Miss Sutherland?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to speckled band?" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Was there a secret marriage?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added,