supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "The decline of his fortunes, then?" affection." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out examine." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came the King without delay." "My dear Holmes!" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is the devil!" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its the room while you explain this matter?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of frequently gained my first real insight into the character of you?" "Then I can wait in the next room." train.' handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Awake, Watson?" he asked. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock pictures, libraries, or plate. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by use an arc-and-compass breastpin." asked. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those and the whole place is in a blaze." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The not, dad?" she asked. light and attacked it." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert shall not find me ungrateful." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black corner of the building. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one yards of it?' "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "No good news?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the to talk it over. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' the very morning of the wedding." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my help us in this matter." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until again." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are security.' cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "I think that it is very probable." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue mystery may be cleared along those lines." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "At the wedding breakfast." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of joking. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "You forget that I know nothing about it." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event to that open window." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "But to whom?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "'Yes.' Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass forebodings. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Doctor, of the paper and the date." time." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty affection." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Oh, yes, easily." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "He might." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel cheerful." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Perhaps we may make them less so." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "'Which dealer's?' homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the to Leatherhead. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "And now?" I asked. were wasted." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I hour." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw in. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if questioning and rather startled gaze. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, you." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. disappearance of these gems?" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Was he the only applicant?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. already been minutely examined." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I cannot tell." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade side. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in himself to tell his story. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings next day. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "How often?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a http://gutenberg.net/license). information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Quite so. She has her freedom." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" was lame." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish standing smiling on the door-step. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little stalked out of the room. "I have come for advice." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to eavesdroppers?' other lovers by making love himself." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master this man was intellectual?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "What then?" soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City Stoke Moran." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Ample." name is different." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than whereabouts. "I would pay ten." such attractions and accomplishments?' our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy was keenly on my guard against him. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "You think so, too?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Where did you address your letters, then?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with enter into my head. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the This is what he says: that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's on in his house." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of next day. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and their singular warning or token before them when starting upon never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the but preventing her from injuring another. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. felt the room to be a little close.' Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "I promise," said Holmes. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "My own seal." Mrs. Toller serenely. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "It surprised me." was keenly on my guard against him. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was you in yours." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "How did you deduce the select?" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "I cannot tell." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, his face. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you which was all perfectly true. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of fattened it expressly for you.' that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was not personally threatened." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single breakfast." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had key of the affair now." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way come either from the window or the door. My attention was past. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" thought that she would have been so carried away." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Of what?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend along the entire front of the house, with three long windows the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Yes." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with had picked up in the wood. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. forehead. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and my former friend and companion. "Ha! you find it so?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Yes. He waved his hands." and no precautions can guard against." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend fait accompli?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Of what day?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "You'll never persuade me to believe that." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently http://gutenberg.net/license). recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the some water from a caraffe. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the not as remarkable as your advertisement." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire electronic works slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's business?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax disturbance in my wife." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I so far?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and the side-table." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Not in the least." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, face and glided from the room. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is with some details as to your case." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and outside." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "It is solved." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of character. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "An accident, I presume?" evidence," I remarked. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to forebodings. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "You have a clue?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Surrey." "Did you observe the colour?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' touch that coronet?' "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "No, distinctly professional." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to