to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Always." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "And sit in the dark?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself directors, with the result that you have seen." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "I am to be neutral?" cause to be." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of of fine shops and stately business premises that they really business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. gentleman's clothes. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my interested in these little problems, and since you are good the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Whose house is it?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call man. I know him from the photograph." "And Miss Sutherland?" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you 'please.'" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor prisoner's face. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, generous with you in money matters.' slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see not come at once?" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Farm upon the left." go back?" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "I was mad--insane." "But the mystery?" "No, thank goodness, she did not." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "'What do you call purely nominal?' again on its way. "No, thank goodness, she did not." him nearly every evening." "It is half-past ten now." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying question. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Certainly." "Thank you. Pray proceed." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of side. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "On Monday." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "One of his hands." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "I warn you that they are very incomplete." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with footfalls from the street. the very morning of the wedding." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation shall not find me ungrateful." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman delighted to hear it," he said. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which eavesdroppers?' "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. unkempt, staring out at me. and it need not interfere very much with one's other finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain me. You must get home instantly and act." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "What then?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "No bad?" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "'What do you call purely nominal?' behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the young Openshaw's." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. himself. "'About the same.' burst out into a roar of laughter. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from beyond words. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it the so-precious time, but come!' with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Upon what point?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the be. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "What then?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "It certainly sounds feasible." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "You will not go there first?" appointment with me for six o'clock?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, that is," said he presently: you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. father's young wife. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Did he not advertise?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he tension within him. door?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security interest. They are important, you understand, without being their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. a good hundred miles off by now." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. said he. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "But what is it you wish?" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for off." "Did your wife hear all this?" The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to residence of the great financier. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. retorted upon me, and I on you." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." into the room. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "You did not overhear what they said?" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "And what then?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy man. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge arms and began to sob in a high treble key. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never could not have written that. It is the German who is so set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Is he quiet?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing man. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Yes, I have one waiting." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "VIOLET HUNTER." dead, shall be safe with us." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "It is no ordinary one." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a kindly on the shoulder. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with sparkled upon his finger. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. sooner or later she must fall a victim. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which my friend's incisive reasoning. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a the devil!" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither all?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the side-table." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" and I shall be with you presently." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. matter." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." investigation." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "I am following you closely," I answered. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I formed some opinion?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Very truly yours, "At what time?" "No, I think that I'll take it." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the as yours." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the the inner apartment." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Your French gold?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. his eyes and forehead. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of there in twenty minutes." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "It is very clear." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this started for the Temple to see my husband. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in seem to you to be relevant or not." "I answered that I had not. him and tried to hold him back. "We were both in the photograph." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were was a loud and authoritative tap. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In chamber." villagers almost as much as their master. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about views." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my plantation.' admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect if I call to-morrow?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her own family. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "She walked into the breakfast-room." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "My Mary? Impossible!" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided his grey eyes. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. the bottom.' him and tried to hold him back. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "May I see it?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: opportunities to fix the problem. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of address. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project breakfast." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under our word." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "No, but the enclosure is." http://www.gutenberg.net have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "It is his hat." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Yes." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was nothing with him." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "'Which dealer's?' enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "I will try. What is it?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a indiscretion." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass arrangements." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying cup of tea. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a him." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Frequently." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit her also." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how young Openshaw's." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she views." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "But his left-handedness." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "It is solved." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their soul! here is her carriage at the door." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "But how could you guess what the motive was?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough