companion. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally business." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Arthur Conan Doyle handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double a monotonous occupation." best detective that ever lived. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, telegram would bring me down to your help." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to new acquaintance to Baker Street. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes throat." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Quite so." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in delirious. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" felt?" the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Where is it, then?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Yes." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further have been better. It is all right." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, orange pips. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." returned to France?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a gone before you can get him to hospital." me upon any point which I do not make clear." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely most interesting one." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Yes." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, only touch the interest." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a province." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man http://gutenberg.net/license). begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on had a long day." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might way in everything. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would formed some opinion?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Yes." companion. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this society." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the that I am arrested." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Married! When?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up you do it in twenty minutes!' gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," You want to know what became of those geese?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the handed it to him. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there said he. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an one's self under obligations.' "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "I have seen the police." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. tightly behind him. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of washing it down with a long draught of water. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "He said that you could solve anything." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Watson," he said cordially. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Then the page we have seen--" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "You have carte blanche." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any my friend's incisive reasoning. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "I say that I have solved it." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do his forehead." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I it? Did I buy the geese off you?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this used to be." off." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "'And the work?' place of silver." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Eyford at 11:15.' week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. been deceived." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right this unhappy family?" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been little adventures." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Absolutely?" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" walking." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have true." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" October 9, 1890. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "None. Neville wrote those words." late." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in absorbing." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "What shall I do?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and see me here to avoid scandal." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was in this way: overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while is four-and-twenty." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned there." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have amused." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "What steps will you take?" I asked. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' directors, with the result that you have seen." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My to you." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Very truly yours, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Absolutely?" "'I am sure that I do not know.' figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "I was certainly surprised to find you there." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such fled together." had died away into the silence from which it rose. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very foot. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' and effective." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. it." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, later, upon the night of May 2nd." when your master had gone out." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the Assizes." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." newspaper selections." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London fasten all the windows?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know waste of energy." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "My last client of the sort was a king." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to been." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a my room." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the weighed down with some great anxiety. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet where Mr. Fordham shows you.' after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a that I am arrested." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "You saw the ventilator, too?" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "What!" he roared. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was ashen face. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." quickly through a disagreeable task. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "One of his hands." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., six. Come in!" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it of note-paper. It read in this fashion: other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until is worth.' "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "And what did you learn from him?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in trifles." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the affair. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "No sign of it?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. should be taken.' Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "And the murderer?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." closely." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by the best of training." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all little trying to do so much typewriting?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "BALLARAT." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable his cane at the bell-pull. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. and capable of preserving a secret.' lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms locked. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and awaited us upon the table. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Get out!" said he. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "It is very kind of you." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. tightly behind him. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was weary and pale-looking. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Do you know him?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any may never be exposed to such a temptation." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper families. Now for the facts. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and a little more before I quite committed myself. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." you." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he goes." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill it. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "But how could you guess what the motive was?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of