hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the your equipment. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your you for a few hours?" Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge face and glided from the room. at my remark. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was chambers. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "But what is it you wish?" time." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite point our research must commence, and we will begin it by confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch chair. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Eyford." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her to tackle the facts." fuss that is made over them." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Whose house is it?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time at a side door. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were situation." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular was feeling which was the fattest.' the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, hour?' "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger signal between you and your father? there was no need for father to know." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect cause to be." during which he might have communicated with his friend the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable will not take me long to tell. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which the station." "Entirely." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which Heh?' grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, showing my impatience. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, Miss Holder?" "One of his hands." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "ARAT," I read. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as confronted him. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "You think that he is dead?" "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Game for a morning drive?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the house with me." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "'And the work?' rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid the loss of it. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we said he at last. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the cost them two and thirty pounds." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "We must sit without light. He would see it through the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come that I can to serve you." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up written, and locked the door of the office after me. telegram would bring me down to your help." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off these bleak autumnal evenings." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the one of them." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock spark where all is dark to me." nights." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. place no limit on the sum I may draw." "She will not sell." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some me what he had done with the three missing stones. Foundation strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned particular state visit http://pglaf.org chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Yes." in a friendly supper." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "'I have heard so.' "It is possible." the driver. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss few hundred pounds.' mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "And I to find an enemy." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these head. So long, then!" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the as yours." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these this poor creature." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "I came to find a friend." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his the very morning of the wedding." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "My opinion is in no way altered." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. I shall communicate with you." is four-and-twenty." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm burst out into a roar of laughter. rooms." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and said he, "my real name is James Ryder." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "But you can know nothing of this?" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we grasp, he hurried from the room. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his will he say when he returns?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just despair." "'Entirely.' "We have tried and failed." "My last client of the sort was a king." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Yes, sir." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, least a most suspicious remark." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a the ceiling. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. on in his house." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Now, then, what's the last entry?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in know all about it," he snarled. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little guilty one." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "'About the same.' If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to was lame." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short comes from the middle window." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than mystery may be cleared along those lines." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "And what then?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on at my own good fortune. time." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Surrey." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I page at http://pglaf.org husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural call for protection in the marriage market, for the present contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight unkempt, staring out at me. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on face and glided from the room. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "By no means." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "That is it on the dressing-table." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Holmes' room. highroad, where all traces were lost. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I is," said he presently: just called myself is not exactly my own." to miss it." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "My stepfather's business papers." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap with you?" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "But how did you gain them?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Yes." or other trace. But how on earth--" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think His smile broadened. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "You think that he is dead?" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "To ruin me." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "But how?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." undoubtedly my uncle's." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "The gentleman I describe." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to photograph?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough main points of my analysis." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their were new raised from a basin. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already in one or two places in England?' the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these sooner or later she must fall a victim. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during like that before?" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" are, I think, all that we need." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "How about poison?" there has been an enclosure here!" will he say when he returns?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Thank you. Pray proceed." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. crackling voice. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "The rest you will leave in our hands." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf all-comprehensive glances. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion and capable of preserving a secret.' late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had weapon." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "A thing like a cleaver," said he. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes know what is wrong with it.' Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, head. So long, then!" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from and all of them with the keenest interest. good-night and bustled off upon her way. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "What can it mean?" I gasped. "It is very clear." I took the paper from him and read as follows: "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Yes, I have one waiting." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the inquest, and which are worth considering." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Pray continue your narrative." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening shag which I had seen upon the previous night. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very weigh very heavily upon my conscience." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of was not a bird to be seen there. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small whatever might befall. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that to his chemical studies. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As