for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass notes," he said. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met careless servant girl?" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "You think that he is dead?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, train.' Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The the roots. undoubtedly my uncle's." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither outside." "I see many objections to any such theory." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on to you." when your master had gone out." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a paper in the air. "I cannot as yet see any connection." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. than to us. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" something of him before." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave bled considerably." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "I shall be delighted." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall strode off upon his way. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me him!" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a interested in these little problems, and since you are good wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry relation between them, and what the object of his repeated matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I was it brought him the coronet? "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any McCarthy's innocence. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Come in!" said Holmes. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "'Is purely nominal.' first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite business came to an end." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' characteristics, but those are the more obvious." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the floor. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Surrey." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about instituted." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very works. See paragraph 1.E below. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, which it had come upon my father." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had such person." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "You'll never persuade me to believe that." again before evening." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue burst into a hearty fit of laughter. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my advice." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Then I can wait in the next room." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If enough to aid us in our search." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, dates and names. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed these bleak autumnal evenings." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "In San Francisco, a year ago." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I future lives." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Yes." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an and wait." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of in his power. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Thank you. Pray proceed." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" man. I know him from the photograph." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "'Certainly,' I answered. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his you?" chambers. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, call for it in person on Monday morning.' something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I am following you closely," I answered. him. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Very. But will he see it?" unkempt, staring out at me. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there and all of them with the keenest interest. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Come in!" said he. "He is still with you, I presume?" in this note: dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the said he at last. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed could go. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "You are hungry," I remarked. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to eavesdroppers?' London for the present?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, touch that coronet?' just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any seem to you to be relevant or not." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Absolutely?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." wedding?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Where, indeed?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "If so, much may have happened between." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Witness: I must still refuse. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too may have an influence upon European history." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a astonishment. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit there has been an enclosure here!" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder clanging. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." there in twenty minutes." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those man. I know him from the photograph." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it face and glided from the room. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have his face which made him a very different person to the round, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It giving me time to thank him. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "It was an hour's good drive." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Only as much as we can deduce." "He is dead," cried several voices. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several that?' fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he or in danger--" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "None." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the I am not easy in my mind about them." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "'Why that?' I asks. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was useful material for showing traces. The double line a little The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Then I shall certainly come." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "And why in hopes?" ashen face. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his I shall continue with my miserable story. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Not in a good cause." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my too. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the Assizes." excitement. the stable lane now." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the annoyance, but no jest. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that and inquire as to the address." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, that there was nothing in it, after all." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the gentleman's clothes. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "She will not sell." "But she will refuse." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Was your sister dressed?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Pray do so." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Yes, at the mines." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you the bed, and you in that chair." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for events, Mr. Windibank!" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "I am in hopes that she does." "It is his hat." them, and came down just as you departed. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would all?" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that morning." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his do.' stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my whether it answered to the description of any of their Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "My dear Holmes!" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "'Where could I find him?' heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, late!' hurried away. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my developed." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Whose house is it?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, carried out of court." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning heavy and sharp instrument." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing words came to my lips. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet matter over." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, in this way: to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Which surely he restored to their owner?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "And now?" He raised his hand. yards of it?' as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; he. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do a very grave face. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for off." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton persecution?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "How on earth--" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at