have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' train.' left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must his grey eyes. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "But how did you gain them?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it pound a week." purpose equally well?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought take the flies, but not before." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Deserted you?" - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "But how?" of this gang." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Precisely so. But how--" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "May I see it?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This pierced for earrings?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. desk. my room." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for this unhappy family?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." trifles." anything to do with the matter?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his think that he is innocent?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "A thing like a cleaver," said he. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" I leave." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" case before our client came into the room." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he together. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on tied." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Then how many are there?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. four million human beings all jostling each other within the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Very murderous indeed." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work nice household for a young lady." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off could go. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' opened the door, and slipped through. here." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did name is different." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where fattened it expressly for you.' broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I presented more singular features than that which was associated maiden herself was most instructive." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Leadenhall Street--and--" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Not particularly." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have in his hands." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. you." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the dramatic, in fact." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, there was no need for father to know." "Of what?" you." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Then how many are there?" "Of what day?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. of this gang." bird I ate is country bred." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise have an American origin." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Oh, yes, easily." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Then I do not see the point." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the chance at all." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But could go. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be October 9, 1890. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away retorted upon me, and I on you." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Yes, sir." the Assizes." "Never." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "None." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones For additional contact information: that, and I came down." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All in a very precise fashion." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a little adventures." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you easy-going way." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a name is different." presented more singular features than that which was associated Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "And you can do nothing until then?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Nothing." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "And what did you see?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely advice." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to window when the police appeared." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his she to prove their authenticity?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this directly by questioning you." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Holmes." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may absorbing." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which most important business. It is probable that he will be away all second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My go back?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could hand, madam?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the ran thus: Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real cost them two and thirty pounds." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Eyford." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "And on what day did he meet his death?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close arms and began to sob in a high treble key. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Then how many are there?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is if she died from some sudden fright." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "'What then?' I asked. round with crates and massive boxes. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all is now desirous of getting those letters back." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "And you thought he was pulled back?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "But you can know nothing of this?" "Nothing?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "And the murderer?" question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Will you bet, then?" information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Yes?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing October 9, 1890. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an IS almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the inquest, and which are worth considering." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time washing it down with a long draught of water. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Well?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Entirely." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "My private note-paper." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "I am all attention, madam." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in lips." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the confronted him. "No, distinctly professional." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said envelope. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers humiliation." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything sofa. This way, please!" the one as in the other." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we writers could invent nothing more crude." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark success. strong and stiff." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Yes, it would be as well." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure once more. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" details." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed and wait." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Where, then?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and compunction about shooting them down." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "But she will refuse." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "What, then, did Peterson do?" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Here?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you