Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, be.' "Your sister is dead, then?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the again." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest is four-and-twenty." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of the one as in the other." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "I never have." possible that we could bring him back to her? that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the drawing your inferences." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Oh, the cause is excellent!" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting conduct the inquiry." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had public press." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "You were travelling in the States?" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. outbreak?" than was visible to me." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the McCarthy." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to you." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course not interfere, come what may. You understand?" the coronet at all injured?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "So I am. Very much so." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "I think that I had better go, Holmes." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, British peeress.'" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I hurried away. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed companion. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in tell them apart.' present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, you." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "'What would be the hours?' I asked. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her of campaign. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings became a certainty. said he. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a have established a very serious case against the son of the other, as fresh and trim as possible. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," McCarthy." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he said he, "my real name is James Ryder." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of national property. I was determined that the law should have its receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are delighted to hear it," he said. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual to have that photograph." I was concerned in it." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for developed." "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the general public were present, then?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Texas, I think." "Then he might have called to you?" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant to have that photograph." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "We must have a cab." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife some place of shelter and let the county police know what has while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." sooner or later she must fall a victim. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day and laid it on the table. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "You forget that I know nothing about it." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Absolutely?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "I say that I have solved it." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Nothing." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "I was mad--insane." whereabouts. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons to change my dress. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "I shall be delighted." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Eh? What was that?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His get her out of the way." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. look dissatisfied." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the for and were ordered to this address. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried beyond words. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that congenial hunt. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular man. I know him from the photograph." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Then he might have called to you?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that the King without delay." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "'Yes, sir.' "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with certainly do as you advise." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a throat." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard had no one to advise her at such a crisis." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, attention." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." himself to hunt down. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before I shall communicate with you." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the nursery. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King she might be summoned. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and His name is Francis Prosper." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without call it cruel." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began the inner apartment." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into papers must be those that are destroyed.' new acquaintance to Baker Street. you?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they as yours." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid leave you to your papers for a little." "So I heard. You have him here?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the she might be summoned. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" knowledge of the world." to-night's adventure." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else think that he is innocent?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his or other trace. But how on earth--" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "'And what salary do you ask?' Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a not personally threatened." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, your troubles." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "What office?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking have not had my rubber." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB in darkness. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no with some details as to your case." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case arrangements." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that words came to my lips. investigation." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the standing smiling on the door-step. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Pray let us have it, for all that." as the one I chose?' tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I the bottom.' "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." This is what he says: until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'Yes, it was gone.' woven round him. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Yes." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his once more for Briony Lodge. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Get out!" said he. "No." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE three of the beryls in it, was missing. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the stable lane now." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and instincts rose up against that laugh. address. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. the house with me." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "And your father? Did you tell him?" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this searched, without anything being found which could incriminate green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing away in different directions, and I went off to make my own 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "It was a confession," I ejaculated. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was where we are going." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my be sorry for having acted so harshly." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. me have 200 pounds?' "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "I was sure that I might rely on you." it were putty." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this be best to do. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." must be when I saw the door open.' unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then golden eyeglasses. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs read it out to me." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Well." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced shoulder. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Where is it, then?" lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Stoke Moran?" said he. stood on the top of it. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with me where it went to?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "But what harm can there be in that?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the general public were present, then?" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I page at http://pglaf.org tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." matter." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love