Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It keep the flames under. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six face and glided from the room. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "I should like to see him very much." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his place, I think that there is good ground to think that the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are locked." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge them?" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "'You doubt its value?' he asked. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Yes." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. them present such singular features as the strange train of top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill married her." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that hardly wander." views." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible row." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we seen the man in the road." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that people don't know." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "And now?" I asked. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell ashen face. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Well." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came rose-bushes. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study is," said he presently: been with you?" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my meant." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had points to suicide?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying with you alone." "And how?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It himself to hunt down. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three it with his own hands." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without shadow pass over his face as I spoke. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush emerged. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Certainly, madam." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "May I see it?" as this. Pray let me have the details." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right ready to-morrow?' assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then upon an income of about 60 pounds." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the business in the City. She little knew what. do." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "A call for help, you thought?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in weary and pale-looking. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly ceremony." other means.' soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of cost them two and thirty pounds." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question bonnet, and went out." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "No." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the only touch the interest." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been been anything against him. He had for years been known as a How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Yes." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our presume?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. man. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, noting anything else of interest. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer you understand?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all least a fellow-countryman. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a I. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this discontent upon his features. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found never came back." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas not fit the lock." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would him." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Indeed! Whose, then?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it there has been an enclosure here!" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste following enigmatical notices: spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and he died? boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official shoulder; "he's all right." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." 11:15.' south, for the country is more deserted there." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, someone who had been in Australia." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of mysterious business." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had would apply.' promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Upon what point?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if looking up at the numbers of the houses." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a eat it." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal skylight. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "No good news?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't been anything against him. He had for years been known as a We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your any little problem which you may submit to me." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine questionable one." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to would then never go into court at all." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Lee, in the county of Kent." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking 11:15.' what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "'In my own bureau.' "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Where did he live, then?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "'Why that?' I asks. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Again Holmes raved in the air. "What! Had he lost his wife?" in his hands." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "May I see it?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "And you don't know his address?" the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "She walked into the breakfast-room." coat-tails." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." only touch the interest." daring than any effort of the imagination." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a in darkness. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight wedding?" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the look dissatisfied." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst so far?" the Red-headed League." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would success. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "He disappeared so suddenly." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more chance at all." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to there is a decided draught." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "'No, I know no one in these parts.' the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to looking up at the numbers of the houses." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Get out!" said he. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "And your father? Did you tell him?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" and have this put in the evening papers." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his you." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "'Yes, it was gone.' keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the conclusions. results." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of garden below. official police." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case examine." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "She told me to ask you." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off me upon any point which I do not make clear." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the problems help me to do so." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at what is your own theory as to what took place?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "You have the photograph?" the coronet in his hands?" window when the police appeared." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster not come at once?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Holmes' room. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the beg that you will break it off." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." nights." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. For additional contact information: way: interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right enter Dr. Roylott's room." go from here to the Strand." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, imbecility!" he cried. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious some water from a caraffe. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "But it has twice been burgled." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "I should wish to." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Your sister is dead, then?" "Ah!" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and emerged. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name and wait." as the one I chose?' the morning and make my own way in the world.' boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand copied or distributed: tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." business?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Did your wife hear all this?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and and put his glass in his pocket. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found