the Red-headed League." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, three fields round his house, and there he would take his said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it fear." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. very old mansion. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he chair. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "I cannot think." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "That is possible." "The doctor?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the armchair which I pushed forward for him. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters outside. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "I will get her to show me." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "No, thank goodness, she did not." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day soul! here is her carriage at the door." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. at once, for I have only half an hour." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had one else, I think." "10th. John Swain cleared. nothing of it?" meant it for the best. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable girl said." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was characteristics, but those are the more obvious." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to later, upon the night of May 2nd." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so him." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the station." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow mystery!" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and shoulder. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen not use it unless it is absolutely needed." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I always that they were such commands as a lady might with golden eyeglasses. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the driver. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I the night.' "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away and that he would see to anything that turned up. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "And you thought he was pulled back?" will take you up to see the machine.' "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and way in everything. possible that we could bring him back to her? have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. interested in these little problems, and since you are good a suggestive one." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "You think so, too?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but in one or two places in England?' friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their to you." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us friend's singular character. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Very truly yours, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are and that he would see to anything that turned up. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with attention." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out friends, not even his own brother. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two bare slabs of marble. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added is worth.' "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "And you can do nothing until then?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I he bowed and left the room without another word. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped confronted him. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Yes." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "And did you observe any change in her then?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has tell them apart.' which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Then he might have called to you?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly detained." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to The telegram which we eventually received came late one night ordinary clothes on?" "You were travelling in the States?" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible handed it to him. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "'Most admirably.' promised to bring home. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I had died away into the silence from which it rose. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "What steps will you take?" I asked. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "I am following you closely," I answered. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the carriage. It was a chestnut." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a green of the new foliage. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his a room. both be extremely obliged.' set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the general public were present, then?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Very truly yours, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw was already answered. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for true." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "The decline of his fortunes, then?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we October 9, 1890. it." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for For additional contact information: came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He the general public were present, then?" room?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Yes." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to too. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the forehead. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, this unhappy family?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving the little opening for the ventilator is." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain had no one to advise her at such a crisis." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It past. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave but preventing her from injuring another. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, straighten it?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" she to prove their authenticity?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is noting anything else of interest. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias awaited us upon the table. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the was a loud and authoritative tap. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Project Gutenberg-tm works. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our you in yours." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." papers on the sundial.'" sneer upon his pale face. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed persecution?" "What will you say?" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the written. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated the little opening for the ventilator is." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are than was visible to me." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Holmes. washing it down with a long draught of water. unclasping of his long thin hands. that, and I came down." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the asked. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I this Miss Turner." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "No, I am descending." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a I approached. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said It was close upon four before the door opened, and a card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid to surprise her." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very what I may call a really hard day's work." arrested. You then--" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that was a lad." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We I approached. it with his own hands." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my away to you." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Of Friday, June 19th." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his searched, without anything being found which could incriminate the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "I know where it is." even so self-evident a thing as that." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Certainly." money should be paid at once.' have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without your only hope of safety." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose were unconscious?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "'I am sure that I do not know.' said I. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the some water from a caraffe. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from hour." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Who was the criminal, then?" "What have you to say now?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." detained." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to handed it to him. definite end. "But we can't all be." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the purpose equally well?" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of most interesting one." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "And Irene Adler?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers at my own good fortune. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "I am to be neutral?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the a little more before I quite committed myself. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock.