front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Absolutely none." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm troubles have been weighing upon his mind. chance." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon which are rolled in Rotterdam." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would tell them apart.' "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "I shall most certainly do so." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at than to us. whereabouts. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah night.' said he. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" like that before?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with to have that photograph." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any sofa. This way, please!" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, what I may call a really hard day's work." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales without a word or a look. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "It was a confession," I ejaculated. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed woman." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "How did he come?" works. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "'Certainly not.' succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Seven!" I answered. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning garden below. side. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "And the cigar-holder?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "And I." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in case-book, which he consulted. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I outbreak?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, passage and a tap at the door. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "I cannot say that I have." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." bachelor.' without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by opened a pocket-book and took out a note. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Which are?" drawing your inferences." Holmes' face clouded over. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Holmes, the busybody!" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "I do." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" touch that coronet?' "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "That's no good." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." to take care of herself." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from feature." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "A confidential servant?" of his shoulders. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your tied." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "We were both in the photograph." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our obstinate." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Because he was handy and would come cheap." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the train.' "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I fasten all the windows?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "I should wish to." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the of." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I have solved it." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted soul! here is her carriage at the door." "None." "None." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to gone. pressing in one house as in another. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the help us in this matter." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His had no one to advise her at such a crisis." it with his own hands." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the some city in a dream. you in yours." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "You horrify me!" "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it but preventing her from injuring another. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep matter." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Well, it is a possible supposition." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Yes?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is business." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his believe that I should never have any practice at all. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Never to return." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, could not have written that. It is the German who is so "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week call it cruel." and the colonel ushered me in. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I that the gas is not laid on in his house?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "'And the work?' "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Precisely." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your directors, with the result that you have seen." as noiselessly as she had come. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised crime. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then your room." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a questioning and rather startled gaze. that you saw all that I did." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these mysterious business." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the was keenly on my guard against him. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" followed. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a not within a twentieth part of the market price." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" beyond words. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Then the page we have seen--" "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an John Swain, of St. Augustine. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left are, and they are waiting for us." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the hopeless attempt at recovering them." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." pierced for earrings?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. had a long day." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Eh? What was that?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, memory. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I footfalls from the street. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate you, my dear young lady?' eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but following enigmatical notices: to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were flock.' three fields round his house, and there he would take his your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must green of the new foliage. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "You will not go there first?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again will not take me long to tell. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "She told me to ask you." "What do you mean?" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that really the only notable feature about the thing." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, villagers almost as much as their master. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "'Entirely.' sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want bed dies. Does not that strike you?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is derbies." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together you want, then?' "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the conceal it?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which easy-going way." matter." But Holmes shook his head gravely. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that read over the extraordinary announcement. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Have you her photograph?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Never." late!' were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry a little more before I quite committed myself. British peeress.'" "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in easy-going way." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Holmes, the busybody!" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Ha! you find it so?" test if we have an answer to our advertisement." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "When did it break out?" would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your better in every way that they should make their position a little an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Just look it up, then." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Doctor, of the paper and the date." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this affection." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently the date of his supposed suicide." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "'You doubt its value?' he asked. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her against a man in the prime of life?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "The Coroner: What do you mean? my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from States. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project in a friendly supper." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "I have my revolver," said I. hour." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the own family. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. pierced for earrings?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not