words came to my lips. and it need not interfere very much with one's other if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, habit of advancing money.' not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the and it need not interfere very much with one's other "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who are, and they are waiting for us." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, might have a private word with us. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project affection." Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Ten will be early enough." very morning of my second wedding." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "'Certainly,' I answered. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her than was visible to me." "We must have a cab." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the have accepted such a situation. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. like that before?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could advice." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" standing smiling on the door-step. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "You horrify me." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone closely." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Dark enough and sinister enough." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "In what way?" asked Holmes. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is this man was intellectual?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs true." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Stolen." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a of fine shops and stately business premises that they really seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "None." just called myself is not exactly my own." October 9, 1890. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "What have you done?" asked Holmes. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project asked. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. his forehead." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I followed. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Precisely." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose touch that coronet?' my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "The vanishing of the lady." congratulate you again." "Yes, it would be as well." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." gigantic client. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what heavy and sharp instrument." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a wedding?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" figure." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "What! You do not mean bodies?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may figure." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Does that suggest anything?" that you can jump it.' "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to of the way of danger. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips character. bird I ate is country bred." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the his knees, staring into the fire. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall cause to be." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police me have 200 pounds?' case before our client came into the room." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "And I to find an enemy." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most to-night?" I asked. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "How did that help you?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Certainly." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not child?' ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Street. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "It must be recovered." it." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Ten will be early enough." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "'Certainly not.' Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." fasten all the windows?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "That is easily got." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "BALLARAT." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have the stable lane now." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be characteristics, but those are the more obvious." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." prisoner's face. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Yes." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "In San Francisco, a year ago." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "I guessed as much." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the copied or distributed: room?" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of and the church but not where the lady lived." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign good-night and bustled off upon her way. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." some water from a caraffe. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." experiences." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay everything which you would wish to know." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Not particularly." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from I nodded to show that I had heard. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the is four-and-twenty." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "You forget that I know nothing about it." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "But you can know nothing of this?" unprecedented a position." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said derbies." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his trifles." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so which our visitor detailed to us. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into what is your own theory as to what took place?" October 9, 1890. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated leaning back in his chair. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will thin legs towards the fire. better in every way that they should make their position a little of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Upon what point?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded straighten it?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. important." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is within hail.' Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put nonsense.' of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Precisely." obstinate." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm lost his Christmas dinner." will be renamed. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." whereabouts. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "What will you say?" been with you?" papers must be those that are destroyed.' Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Nearly eleven." "The gentleman I describe." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical arrangements." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "In heaven's name, what for?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm as he remarks, very much against the son." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Sholtos." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not persecution?" unkempt, staring out at me. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Do you go out much in society?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would house for five minutes.' "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite and the whole place is in a blaze." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search public press." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a wanted for ourselves." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Absolutely none." "No legal papers or certificates?" For additional contact information: the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the that you saw all that I did." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Then I am your man." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Tired-looking or fresh?" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. allusion to a rat. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and happened." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his village inn over there?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he October 9, 1890. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE highly," said Holmes. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Will you go?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious there were so many in the whole country as were brought together knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence good for you to do.' should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. was not a bird to be seen there. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. correct than the official force." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Where, then?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to and all of them with the keenest interest. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to over his head with a sweet womanly caress. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "You horrify me." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was such person." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds house for five minutes.' unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study,