"'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), place, I think that there is good ground to think that the you understand?" and inquire as to the address." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "It is no ordinary one." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I how narrow had been my escape. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What and a shock of very red hair. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, think, you have already met." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "When did it break out?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the you." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "'Not at all. I only doubt--' sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem fled together." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "I will try. What is it?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I to-night?" I asked. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "What?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "It may not come to that," said Holmes. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Witness: It was. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard of the one which your family is now devouring." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but have not had my rubber." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if and that he would see to anything that turned up. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, followed. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. appeal." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "I never have." "Entirely." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Does that suggest anything?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Precisely so. But how--" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed a very grave face. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "'What do you call purely nominal?' My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. man. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales fishes. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on crackling voice. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "I think it very unlikely." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to reach." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt case before our client came into the room." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "My last client of the sort was a king." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." call it cruel." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Holmes, the busybody!" any little problem which you may submit to me." do." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "But to whom?" cigars in the box." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, respectable self." of the way of danger. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, nothing with him." "I am all attention, madam." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her that before taking the final step I should like to submit the and the colonel ushered me in. States. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Have you it here?" province." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "'Stolen!' he cried. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, horse could go." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all the coroner come to?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from I leave." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "What! You do not mean bodies?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance evidence," I remarked. how narrow had been my escape. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. noble correspondent could be. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a politicians who had been sent down from the North. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go a room. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London appeal." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, me where it went to?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' now. It seems that there had been some informality about their opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Then, how do you know?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "But you were on a friendly footing?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "By all means." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Come in!" said he. over here." you." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. late!' rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as this remarkable episode. "None." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the that I may have something better before very many minutes are difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in I shall communicate with you." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "In the cells." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make asked. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they the loss of it. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an more solid." business in the City. She little knew what. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the room while you explain this matter?" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Has he come with you to-night?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew him, that man would not have given me such complete information threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will as he remarks, very much against the son." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the night.' said he. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently do you make of it all?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "And now?" He raised his hand. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Have you good authority for what you say?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and might have a private word with us. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. have got?" "It surprised me." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Holmes' face clouded over. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "How do you know, then?" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for child?' 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered locked." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. had formerly been in part my own. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "My dear Holmes!" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Yes." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "I shall be delighted." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "What have you done?" asked Holmes. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Really! You surprise me." distinguish the words: of fine shops and stately business premises that they really blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "No, finished." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the guilty parties." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "That also I could fathom." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has criminal. We have already had experience of such." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "At half-wages, in fact." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE fat-encircled eyes. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time is," said he presently: the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for meant." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently families. Now for the facts. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Never." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "His face fell immediately. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating in this way: methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after very morning of my second wedding." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced present." copied or distributed: "And on what day did he meet his death?" simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "And when will you call?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Very. But will he see it?" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his more solid." "Dr. Becher's." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers and a shock of very red hair. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Yes, sir." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble tassel actually lying upon the pillow. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your good for you to do.' need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any particular state visit http://pglaf.org found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "What?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Just look it up, then." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "But his lameness?" cigars in their mouths. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the it." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Young McCarthy must be got off, however." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's crackling voice. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate guilty parties." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, it." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to dates and names. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature himself to hunt down. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of even of instruction." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he letters?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain might have a private word with us. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known think you a quite exceptional woman." out of this horrible affair." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children.