off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that prison!" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new following enigmatical notices: ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings 1.E.9. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his The King stared at him in amazement. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean it? Did I buy the geese off you?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who me where it went to?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was again before evening." is now desirous of getting those letters back." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "But he might be a bachelor." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated both be extremely obliged.' "What!" he roared. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "'Where to?' "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door noble correspondent could be. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and chance at all." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed legal crime." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should God! What an exposure! What can I do?" was a loud and authoritative tap. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Stolen, then." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "'No, I know no one in these parts.' the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "There is the writing." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when here." said I. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "No legal papers or certificates?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Sholtos." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "'Oh, no.' "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter The telegram which we eventually received came late one night fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over case before our client came into the room." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had dramatic, in fact." "He is still with you, I presume?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Yes, I have one waiting." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" unprecedented a position." "So I heard. You have him here?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Yes, but only for you and me." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was showing my impatience. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," ordinary clothes on?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient upon an income of about 60 pounds." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two nice household for a young lady." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst secret." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past door?" business at Coburg Square is serious." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "And from a noble client?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman purpose of examination. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "The murder was done with it." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. bare slabs of marble. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, papers." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the beg that you will break it off." constraint." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off towards the blaze. I nodded to show that I had heard. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "But she will refuse." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the appeal." any more." Mrs. Toller serenely. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Young McCarthy must be got off, however." in darkness. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "And now?" I asked. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against and I shall be with you presently." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "'As governess?' pity, because in other respects you would really have done very came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" our word." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "So I have heard." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "'Very good.' "You heard nothing yourself last night?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "And your father? Did you tell him?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been been shamefully used." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "In heaven's name, what for?" row." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three she to prove their authenticity?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating to arrive at through this?" your Highness to the police-station?" III. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." you in your example." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Yes, he did." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Nothing." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the desk. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning certainly do as you advise." the loss of it. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some It may be so in this case, also." but preventing her from injuring another. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "'Certainly not.' "Absolutely none." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible woman who has had her own way to make in the world. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "How long did she speak to this Alice?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Then what has happened to him?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I come either from the window or the door. My attention was volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank points in connection with it which never have been, and probably his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, intrusion of other matters." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Project Gutenberg-tm works. him, that man would not have given me such complete information fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "And your father? Did you tell him?" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "'It is locked up,' I answered. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Here?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "If so, much may have happened between." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "What shall I do?" o'clock is it?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! mysterious end." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. once more. instincts rose up against that laugh. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "'It is locked up,' I answered. "'Ample.' better grown goose." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. here." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, and your relations to her." the inner apartment." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "What is it, then--a fire?" The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Nothing?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "At the wedding breakfast." in the port of London." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But the iron safe, which he closed upon it. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so putting in the horse. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Will you bet, then?" asked with his eyes open. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Was she in good spirits?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "You did not overhear what they said?" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." foresight and the moral retrogression?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." the tragedy. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before do you make of it all?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but later, upon the night of May 2nd." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "So I am. Very much so." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is I have it here in my museum." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "What!" he roared. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way troubles have been weighing upon his mind. to-night?" I asked. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Yes." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke his cane at the bell-pull. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't see a sister of mine apply for." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much ventilator." and capable of preserving a secret.' you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned legal crime." "Get out!" said he. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town passage and a tap at the door. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "You have compromised yourself seriously." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side strong and stiff." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, fasten all the windows?" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Not in a good cause." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest was lame." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road.