came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "ARAT," I read. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which certainly not very gracious." ago." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "What have you to say now?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as appointment with me for six o'clock?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. down. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I habit of advancing money.' Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable to you." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Pray do so." "Ample." "There is the writing." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "BALLARAT." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little gone. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Dr. Becher's." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." second window is the one that I jumped from." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I with some details as to your case." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home again, where I was soon asleep. "And you don't know his address?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of woman." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Yes." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly depend upon your compliance." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless placed his cuttings. "What then?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I because she had spent so short a time in this country that she of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "But how did you gain them?" October 9, 1890. tail." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel soul! here is her carriage at the door." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was indiscretion." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "You are hungry," I remarked. overpowering excitement and concern. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my have had none more fantastic than this." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. touch that coronet?' point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. what is your own theory as to what took place?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "You heard nothing yourself last night?" objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that stepfather?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need you." Holmes' room. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and for its centre. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Holmes' room. "But she will refuse." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the his forehead." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the in this note: "But how could you guess what the motive was?" maiden herself was most instructive." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Cross for the Continent." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the relief. depend upon my doing so.' "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name like that before?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have 1.E.9. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the dear old homesteads?" "Precisely." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap a few minutes he said that it would be all right. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "It is very clear." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Breckinridge is his name." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "But your client--" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a fat-encircled eyes. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" stepfather?" guilty one." hour." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear heavily into it. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Stoke Moran?" said he. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master forebodings. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring that he has suffered." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll some terrible trap for her." "An accident, I presume?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, prisoner's face. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all wedding?" leaning back in his chair. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his which we had just quitted. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "It must be recovered." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my sentimental considerations in the background which would induce gentleman's clothes. "'What then?' I asked. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Holmes' room. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE tension within him. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the miles off. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "I assure you that I am in your hands." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while is," said he presently: some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in sit on the left-hand side of the driver." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it point our research must commence, and we will begin it by get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that The telegram which we eventually received came late one night springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think you." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of the nursery. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "But your client--" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "'What, the red-headed man?' "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by down. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most pound a week." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is take the flies, but not before." looking up at the numbers of the houses." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered train from Paddington which would bring you there at about said he, "my real name is James Ryder." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "She showed me, as I told you she would." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "But of what society?" drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Perhaps we may make them less so." to affect your life." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as heavily into it. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have and your relations to her." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the and a shock of very red hair. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "'And what salary do you ask?' was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has which was all perfectly true. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Arthur Conan Doyle purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the some water from a caraffe. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and best detective that ever lived. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." about. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Perhaps I have." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me went to the Alpha were town bred." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the from the brougham. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the that you saw all that I did." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Is purely nominal.' taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the http://www.gutenberg.net it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving gentleman's clothes. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project flock.' through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the I am not easy in my mind about them." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Then you may be so with me." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "But to whom?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Where, then?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question despair." Munro.' pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "I assure you that I am in your hands." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "This photograph!"