collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just fait accompli?" "Just look it up, then." enter Dr. Roylott's room." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the but preventing her from injuring another. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. status with the IRS. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for you." "Did he not advertise?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that felt the room to be a little close.' everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began me what he had done with the three missing stones. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I pressing in one house as in another. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The with her." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his said I. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed about here speaks of his kindness to him." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "But who is he?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Where is it, then?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. nonsense.' my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." I took the paper from him and read as follows: five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence you understand?" "Yes, only one." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite spare." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Did your wife hear all this?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock retorted upon me, and I on you." than to us. DISSOLVED. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I you in yours." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day persecution?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. locked. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce suspect him." records." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. towards the blaze. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the chair. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. daring than any effort of the imagination." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the placed his cuttings. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he for the market.' "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. entirely lost his self-respect." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of examination of the premises, but without finding anything which generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no that you can jump it.' "And how?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "What can it mean?" I gasped. head. So long, then!" even of instruction." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something had a long day." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, http://www.gutenberg.net "'I am sure if I had known--' then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a DAMAGE. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to better grown goose." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' You can understand that this register and diary may implicate took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late gentleman's clothes. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his strength in the others." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in envelope. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "This photograph!" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my newspaper selections." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after hard-headed British jury." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. all-comprehensive glances. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have key of the affair now." "Stoke Moran?" said he. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply only touch the interest." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. in a very precise fashion." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Not him." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, be best to do. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. that, and I came down." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I roused himself from his reverie. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his one's self under obligations.' there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Oh, fresh and glossy." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just that just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "No, I am descending." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and there has been an enclosure here!" of campaign. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps through." "And why in hopes?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth him." "But his left-handedness." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat you understand?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet tightly behind him. him, that man would not have given me such complete information your bag." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the eat it." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George shaken than I had ever seen him. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the some city in a dream. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, really the only notable feature about the thing." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue be best to do. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Nothing?" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. dramatic, in fact." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "But his left-handedness." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Stolen, then." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do some water from a caraffe. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps front of the hall door has given its name to the place. help us in this matter." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers fish-monger and a tide-waiter." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been always that they were such commands as a lady might with to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. best detective that ever lived. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had will he say when he returns?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so chance." "You know me, then?" has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite in one or two places in England?' once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner individual and becomes the badge of a society." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as been deceived." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? said I. what I may call a really hard day's work." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of woman who has had her own way to make in the world. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "I say that I have solved it." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To congratulate you again." breakfast?" her also." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by highly," said Holmes. success. suddenly upon us." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in to-night?' which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT you." "Yes." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and returned to France?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It and the church but not where the lady lived." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "What is it?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me how narrow had been my escape. his eyes and forehead. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments introspective fashion. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. tell them apart.' I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Pray tell us what has happened to you." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin present." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "'Most admirably.' even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." fat-encircled eyes. little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Certainly." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens