Sutherland. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "It was." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in fire. You quite follow me?" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, four million human beings all jostling each other within the into the bag, and made for the door. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the morning and make my own way in the world.' both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "None. Neville wrote those words." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me one which it was hard to resist. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project way: "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. stood on the top of it. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you there in twenty minutes." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Yes." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me weapon." as noiselessly as she had come. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Certainly." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs introspective fashion. the house with me." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "No. What a strange idea!" had a long day." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Game for a morning drive?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, I nodded again. garden below. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing very morning of my second wedding." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your we went to search for him, face downward in a little science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six You want to know what became of those geese?" "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "How did that help you?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he noting anything else of interest. unclasping of his long thin hands. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "'And the work?' begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, as this. Pray let me have the details." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "I shall be delighted." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want him!" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "So it appears." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' enter into my head. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, records." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Holmes. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of call for protection in the marriage market, for the present myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is himself to tell his story. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I pound a week." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Edgeware Road. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than strong reason behind." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of I was concerned in it." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "'Is 4 pounds a week.' at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Yes, but only for you and me." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "You think that he is dead?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, problems help me to do so." than was visible to me." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some she to prove their authenticity?" "But how?" putting in the horse. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Who was the criminal, then?" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I trying to your nerves." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Holmes' thin, eager face. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. ways of our fellow-men." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I in his power. depend upon your compliance." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "But it has twice been burgled." fact, we may call it conclusive." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever beg that you will break it off." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the the nursery. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even in the port of London." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you signal between you and your father? despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "But to whom?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "How often?" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "'There is a drive, then?' "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved client, rising. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "And who is her maid?" upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he case before our client came into the room." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as three of the beryls in it, was missing. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Eh? What was that?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A deduce something from that?" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "No." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at would apply.' "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his deduce something from that?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both chance." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "We were both in the photograph." again, where I was soon asleep. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must then?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by detained." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me you." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "No, I am descending." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of that he has suffered." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to mysterious business." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "An enemy?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "That sounds a little paradoxical." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a stepfather?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "The knees of his trousers." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "I beg pardon." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. do." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the mystery may be cleared along those lines." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much one's self under obligations.' "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming sooner or later she must fall a victim. discontent upon his features. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Holmes, the busybody!" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough bed dies. Does not that strike you?" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were noting anything else of interest. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which begin with, and I had not got mine yet." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I room. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally least a most suspicious remark." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got of the efforts of the United States government and of the better and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "My Mary? Impossible!" "But your client--" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do there was no need for father to know." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a matter." Does that suggest anything?" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had brought there to personate someone, and the real person is us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in one else, I think." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I and a shock of very red hair. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" again on its way. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue lumber-room." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his quickly through a disagreeable task. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" and inquire as to the address." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Yes, all." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. weighed down with some great anxiety. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and examine." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Well?" that I can to serve you." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. to have that photograph." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring