for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a unprofitable." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be photograph a cabinet?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Arthur Conan Doyle "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be breakfast and whispered something to her husband. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Frequently." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he frequently gained my first real insight into the character of intimate personal affairs in this public manner." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after the bed, and you in that chair." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save to talk it over. "It is his hat." "'I shall certainly be there.' had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility miles off. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you affection." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "I came to find a friend." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." his knees, staring into the fire. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of opportunities to fix the problem. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Pool. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Not I." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Perhaps I have." to have been novel and of interest." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing these bleak autumnal evenings." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Look there!" said he. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, bedroom door." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "'And the work?' once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you as he remarks, very much against the son." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "That you are never beaten." "But of what society?" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive The note was undated, and without either signature or address. about here speaks of his kindness to him." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would during that time.' zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest infinite languor in his face. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "To an end?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement along the entire front of the house, with three long windows He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the in his power. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Where is it, then?" make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue rose-bushes. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil brandy and water within his reach. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on know what is wrong with it.' "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been important." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She you for a few hours?" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was and no precautions can guard against." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my whole matter to your consideration." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life views." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was away to you." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And that threaten you." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with the bottom.' at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not straighten it?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the golden eyeglasses. article?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must hand, madam?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the feature." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." within hail.' observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "You did not overhear what they said?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "But his lameness?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall door?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive during the last few years, and there are many noble families to prepare for the new role I have to play." power." of your young ladies.' "I am still in the dark." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "You were travelling in the States?" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "I beg pardon." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "How did you deduce the select?" written. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that joking. "'Most admirably.' "Yes, but only for you and me." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. made his money." light and attacked it." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, secret." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a populous neighbourhood." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Breckinridge is his name." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go tightly behind him. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we the coronet in his hands?" gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." was lame." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Yes, certainly." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Where did he live, then?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "I am in hopes that she does." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. individual and becomes the badge of a society." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one cheerful." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began my room." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new already referred to. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival country, and eventually married, without anyone having a money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "I am about to be married." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' which we had just quitted. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. to a light-house. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "But the mystery?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean impression behind it as though a window had gently closed aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper of his shoulders. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. entirely devoid of interest." dead, shall be safe with us." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Holmes rather sternly. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not business came to an end." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "On your arm?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your past. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you taking in every detail of the apartment. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." crime." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was system of imprisonment?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "No, thank goodness, she did not." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham such attractions and accomplishments?' professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very go back?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily into the bag, and made for the door. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions God! What an exposure! What can I do?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed been able to understand it, in a very few words. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I the King without delay." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Leadenhall Street--and--" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, later, upon the night of May 2nd." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' sound at heart." flock.' puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was States. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily may have an influence upon European history." three of the beryls in it, was missing. to-morrow." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Did he not advertise?" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a locked." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is it were putty." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Then you may be so with me." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I promised to bring home. for securing the situation." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "What have you done?" asked Holmes. of campaign. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" night.' said he. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows behind me. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the his wife has ceased to love him." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin was it brought him the coronet? should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away corner of the building. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Not him." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course use an arc-and-compass breastpin." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Oh, fresh and glossy." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by said he. back alive. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "'About the same.' "Really! You surprise me." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and noise which awoke you from your sleep?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the one as in the other." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg tell me that you intended to go into harness." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low lectures into a series of tales." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project