research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of residence of the great financier. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "I will try. What is it?" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up again before evening." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Quite so. She has her freedom." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a showing my impatience. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which front of the hall door has given its name to the place. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "But to whom?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "He said that you could solve anything." shoulder. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Then he might have called to you?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the matter?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly back to my heart. "Certainly." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any evidence," I remarked. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, question," said Holmes, smiling. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save I nodded again. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This point in the dark hollow of his hand. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Pool. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are hereditary King of Bohemia." "I answered that I had not. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "By train from Waterloo." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Not I." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the other lovers by making love himself." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man started for the Temple to see my husband. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Then how many are there?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a them present such singular features as the strange train of I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "'About the same.' brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she over part of the map. "What do you read?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during for and were ordered to this address. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it was lame." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." me. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was sooner or later she must fall a victim. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My do.' either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer again." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Holmes. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he assist you in forming an opinion." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out friends, not even his own brother. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "And how in the world did you find them?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A becomes even more simple." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "If so, much may have happened between." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I your co-operation." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at particular state visit http://pglaf.org "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more business matters.' Serpentine Avenue. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "That is easily got." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was would apply.' there!' "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and promised to bring home. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what tension within him. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Pool. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "What steps will you take?" I asked. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in shall use the carriage to-night." the dangers which encompass me." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Her father is very rich?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Who by?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, a very grave face. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "And why in hopes?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I may never be exposed to such a temptation." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to I nodded again. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as quite distinctive." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "You are hungry," I remarked. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand the driver. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the date of his supposed suicide." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under get her out of the way." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "'What then?' I asked. "Yes?" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in cost them two and thirty pounds." "I have my revolver," said I. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two prove to be little relation between the different incidents of pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large overpowering excitement and concern. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "That is possible." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "But not more so than I to find you." digesting their breakfasts at home." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "The vanishing of the lady." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is little trying to do so much typewriting?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I vanished into the darkness. than was visible to me." putting in the horse. you in your example." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the fluttered off among the others. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among notes," he said. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled him. "We must have a cab." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Could he throw no light?" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "What steps will you take?" I asked. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By ordinary clothes on?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." hands. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "You will not go there first?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall bachelor.' "Never." "How did you trace it, then?" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a was the fact that his father should, according to his account, and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the Red-headed League." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at know all about it," he snarled. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "I am all attention, madam." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of case before our client came into the room." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." the Red-headed League." "In what way?" asked Holmes. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal directly by questioning you." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Oh, yes, easily." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Yes, he did." unprofitable." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "And from a noble client?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "'As governess?' however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several information in his hands the value of which he did not himself had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and the little opening for the ventilator is." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "It looks newer than the other things?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. already been minutely examined." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as what do you think they found in the pockets?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a before the coroner and the police-court." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and held up the lantern and gazed about him. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Holmes' face clouded over. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and in the dead of the night?' sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this outsides of the windows. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing Edgeware Road. "Was your sister dressed?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat business came to an end." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. look upon these things in a different way." records." habit of advancing money.' me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his foot. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "And what did you see?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a have an American origin." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it wedding?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Nothing?" "So I am. Very much so." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "And I to find an enemy." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." situation." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near whole matter to your consideration." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Chief Executive and Director cigars in the box." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "I guessed as much." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in own family. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Oh, the cause is excellent!" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others allusion to a rat. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.'