I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. him and tried to hold him back. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." events, Mr. Windibank!" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door I held the little printed slip to the light. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Will you bet, then?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to remarked. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men clanging. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, again on its way. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "You saw the ventilator, too?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Deserted you?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." held up the lantern and gazed about him. purpose equally well?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black train from Paddington which would bring you there at about delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his manager. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H already been minutely examined." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it pressing in one house as in another. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover conversation I have gathered that they have been married about fishes. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called pound a week." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and sake, don't!" your bag." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I bled considerably." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are them, and came down just as you departed. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London waste of energy." "No, thank goodness, she did not." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon door?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and said he at last. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Young McCarthy must be got off, however." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the side-table." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a mystery." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I to a light-house. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My the devil!" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin were wasted." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. on in his house." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "No." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to into the bag, and made for the door. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a putting in the horse. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I strong reason behind." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Why serious?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will showing my impatience. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing you in yours." instituted." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it I nodded to show that I had heard. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Entirely." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Not particularly." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to said I. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Pray do so." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, should be taken.' "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "I was sure that I might rely on you." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "But we can't all be." fishes. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no things are very often connected not with the larger but with the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Did you observe the colour?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "The Coroner: What do you mean? was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a 1.E.9. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP without a word or a look. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the iron safe, which he closed upon it. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar fire. You quite follow me?" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the crime." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and the night.' "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Did you observe the colour?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Do you know him?" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and you." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "And it is--" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had about. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." keep the flames under. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, morning." "I will do it." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "'I have heard so.' "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Thank you. And your address?" Count Von Kramm." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat round with crates and massive boxes. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was had this final quarrel? I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes of Fenchurch Street." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham what do you think they found in the pockets?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in new duties?' "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." crowd. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought money should be paid at once.' themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Well, it is a possible supposition." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "And why?" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. I nodded to show that I had heard. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the address that was given us in the advertisement. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "My opinion is in no way altered." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "What then?" exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave wife's character?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second directors, with the result that you have seen." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your not, dad?" she asked. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular remarked. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the bottom.' "And when will you call?" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and It may be so in this case, also." "Then, as to money?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, in. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by young Openshaw's." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite the King without delay." "A greater distance to travel." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the maiden herself was most instructive." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a second window is the one that I jumped from." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a together. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known village inn over there?" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "If I can be of use." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my something of him before." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Do you know him?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had disappearance of these gems?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the spare." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of away in different directions, and I went off to make my own station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son and laid it on the table. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped was it brought him the coronet? individual and becomes the badge of a society." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to see me here to avoid scandal." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets clang of the bell. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another delirious. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the of the vacancies.' "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into better grown goose." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set memory. clang of the bell. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Two days later this same performance was gone through under in a very precise fashion." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless fuss that is made over them." "No." murdered man." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "In heaven's name, what for?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much face and glided from the room. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "To an English lawyer named Norton." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you stepfather?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Dark enough and sinister enough." "No, I think that I'll take it." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. national property. I was determined that the law should have its facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "The gentleman I describe." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he