on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. had picked up in the wood. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "What! Had he lost his wife?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Dr. Gregory B. Newby will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, help us in this matter." Again Holmes raved in the air. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Yes, sir." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, cigars in the box." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, himself. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "I guessed as much." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the dangers which encompass me." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "It was." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "There are none." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "And how did you verify them?" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and DISSOLVED. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the bottom.' the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "'Certainly not.' About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and now. It seems that there had been some informality about their tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but ventilator." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up obstinate." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can mystery!" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, lips." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "But she could not love him." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and in the hope of finding them." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "That is possible." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your but preventing her from injuring another. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only there were so many in the whole country as were brought together You want to know what became of those geese?" "And it is--" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "I never have." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, memory. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. way: have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Pray tell us what has happened to you." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Ah, but I was recommended to you." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to night.' said he. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "I should like to see him very much." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it which are rolled in Rotterdam." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself so.' 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes rat could hardly pass through." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "And what then?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "It is possible." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We not, dad?" she asked. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Then, as to money?" "But it has twice been burgled." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "My dear Holmes!" disappearance of these gems?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. man. I know him from the photograph." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which guilty parties." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "It is no ordinary one." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" deduce something from that?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora was not a bird to be seen there. carried out of court." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Then you may be so with me." "His face fell immediately. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless all that?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is touch that coronet?' cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to trying to your nerves." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from remarked. was keenly on my guard against him. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to invisible to me," I remarked. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Heh?' hour?' he. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the ordinary clothes on?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which me upon any point which I do not make clear." the stones. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." I approached. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "How long did she speak to this Alice?" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the the little opening for the ventilator is." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such simple cases which are so extremely difficult." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform comes from the middle window." "Murdered?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "No." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "You were travelling in the States?" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There your co-operation." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, four million human beings all jostling each other within the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture that that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I before the coroner and the police-court." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such union?" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event help us in this matter." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I test if we have an answer to our advertisement." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "I will, Miss Turner." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this if she died from some sudden fright." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at tightly behind him. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must had a long day." "I came to find a friend." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "It came here." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the himself to hunt down. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a cigars in the box." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch read it out to me." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from get the tickets." forebodings. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' letters?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those coroner's jury." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which been deceived." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, arrested. You then--" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "And now?" I asked. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Have you it here?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "In the cells." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts union?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business towards the blaze. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for have I gained?" daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper seven miles from Eyford Station.' he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between of his shoulders. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "By no means." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own strode off upon his way. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they thought that she would have been so carried away." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "A confidential servant?" voice, changing her seat as requested. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to http://www.gutenberg.net even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See place, I think that there is good ground to think that the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is existence." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Where, indeed?" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began get the tickets." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. friend's singular character. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped suspect him." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the undoubtedly my uncle's." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the of them has the shutters up.' time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Yes." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately your sleep?' sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "My photograph." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Not in the least." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens at home. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' that there was nothing in it, after all." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and