"Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with I shall continue with my miserable story. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Game for a morning drive?" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." signal between you and your father? such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never the coroner come to?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend to surprise her." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "How did he come?" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the me. You must get home instantly and act." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Why did you beat the pavement?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I asked. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles do you make of it all?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "What! Had he lost his wife?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check if she died from some sudden fright." posted to-day." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "The doctor?" "No, my brougham is waiting." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "You have it, sir, just as it happened." until night should bring an explanation. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "That is it on the dressing-table." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the look dissatisfied." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "You were travelling in the States?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Upon what point?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, during which he might have communicated with his friend the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family someone who had been in Australia." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day you?' 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted to that open window." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid happened." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." of his shoulders. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Your sister is dead, then?" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Yes." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke noble correspondent could be. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the will he say when he returns?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the room while you explain this matter?" "This photograph!" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." British peeress.'" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "You have but to name it." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Indeed! Whose, then?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that heavy and sharp instrument." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Yes." knowledge of the world." stood on the top of it. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather http://gutenberg.net/license). my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it garden below. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it closing the door. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Then what has happened to him?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I when your master had gone out." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social only touch the interest." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are leave you to your papers for a little." me. You must get home instantly and act." "The Cedars?" "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very he died? furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without question," said Holmes, smiling. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "But what harm can there be in that?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was least a fellow-countryman. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Sutherland?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "The knees of his trousers." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this residence of the great financier. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child empty. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Has he come with you to-night?" the warnings." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to off." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further look dissatisfied." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' with her." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Gutenberg-tm License. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "'Where could I find him?' "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of then?" to a light-house. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, train.' murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and my little problems." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "By no means." "That sounds a little paradoxical." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." yards of it?' his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the way: "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is annoyance, but no jest. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Yes." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old ways of our fellow-men." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be sooner or later she must fall a victim. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Yes." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "So I have heard." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, and the whole place is in a blaze." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, way: "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when paper in the air. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Of what day?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." have had none more fantastic than this." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking himself. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and legal crime." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the case-book, which he consulted. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. affection." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your tell him that I know him to be innocent." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That awaited us upon the table. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Whose house is it?" "And the cigar-holder?" think, you have already met." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Where, then, is my wife?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the window, rose as we entered. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are the best of training." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "'There is a drive, then?' again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "What! a murderous attack?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here posted to-day." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "'Not at all. I only doubt--' wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, Have you good authority for what you say?" across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." do you make of it all?" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide the south-west, I see." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Literary Archive Foundation upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully arrangements." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able DISSOLVED. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Henry Baker is a member." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "What!" he roared. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself you." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He and that he would see to anything that turned up. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door think, you have already met." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but our word." you." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "What shall I do?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much of the efforts of the United States government and of the better passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in sit on the left-hand side of the driver." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "'Ten to two.' about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "'In my own bureau.' and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon helping a boy to put up the shutters. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, them?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in introspective fashion. "Her father is very rich?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me laugh and put his lips to my ear. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" you." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project