"Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "May I see it?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "No legal papers or certificates?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found without success. At last the little money which I had saved began practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "And I to find an enemy." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we overpowering excitement and concern. persecution?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "A call for help, you thought?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, I leave." License. You must require such a user to return or all-comprehensive glances. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in joking. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when man. I know him from the photograph." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Henry Baker is a member." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "None." "Was he the only applicant?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling that I can to serve you." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a front of me. "Where did you address your letters, then?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate be there in time for your coming." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. tell them apart.' "Never to return." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The danger is over." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have stepfather?" DAMAGE. indeed happy." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the this unhappy family?" against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "She walked into the breakfast-room." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "I say it is." crime. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which and capable of preserving a secret.' with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he considering the formidable letters which were received by himself hurried by. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had wedding?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I it with his own hands." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and neither fascinating nor artistic." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' all?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your cigars in the box." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the some water from a caraffe. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it the Red-headed League." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback more terrible than the truth. window when the police appeared." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Dr. Becher's." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Could he throw no light?" himself to tell his story. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with to-night's adventure." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "And you thought he was pulled back?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your highly," said Holmes. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can or other trace. But how on earth--" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "On your arm?" that you wished to speak to me?' either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the business." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and upon the white wrist. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "'No, I know no one in these parts.' insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "May I see it?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "And I to find an enemy." the morning and make my own way in the world.' nights." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "That is not always so easy." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my enter Dr. Roylott's room." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "You have it, sir, just as it happened." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my there when the Rucastles went away." "'How far from the body?' Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted cigars in the box." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "I am following you closely," I answered. the date of his supposed suicide." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of your own bird, so if you wish--" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage to tackle the facts." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that gone before you can get him to hospital." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "How do you know, then?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in his face. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Texas, I think." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty is," said he presently: "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "You have but to name it." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the His smile broadened. peculiar to him. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for matter." to take care of herself." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or gentleman's clothes. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "An accident, I presume?" "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "The landlord of the Alpha." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a little trying to do so much typewriting?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. better in every way that they should make their position a little this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin least a most suspicious remark." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Did you become engaged then?" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." results." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport of your young ladies.' young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "'I have already given you my word.' ordinary clothes on?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we ran thus: "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "I have my revolver," said I. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "None. Neville wrote those words." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, introspective fashion. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "'You doubt its value?' he asked. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured not personally threatened." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with the driver. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and humiliation." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "What can it mean?" I gasped. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I am armed." "Yes, all." London for the present?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "I say it is." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included affection." at my remark. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "The gentleman I describe." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or examination of the premises, but without finding anything which effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Precisely so. But how--" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora the coronet in his hand?" Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "'I am sure if I had known--' "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. unclasping of his long thin hands. "I cannot imagine." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "What are they?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I bell. Holmes whistled. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built must compliment you." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. letters?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and was it brought him the coronet? to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "'How far from the body?' 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "He might." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Holmes' thin, eager face. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more he. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" formed some opinion?" "Yes." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Thank you. Pray proceed." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." signal between you and your father? but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and waste of energy." "I am still in the dark." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "But the mystery?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Yes, sir." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Not social, then?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Married! When?" habit of advancing money.' here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's situation." of them has the shutters up.' parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "How on earth--" the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "And for present expenses?" in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Can I be of assistance?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will matter." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" disturbance in my wife." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector jewels which you have stolen?' "No legal papers or certificates?" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and copied or distributed: silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able that there was nothing in it, after all." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate