why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," chamber." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "One?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining next day. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret questioning and rather startled gaze. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these cup of tea. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must on re-entering her father's house?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. together. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Eyford at 11:15.' "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the habit of advancing money.' "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There himself. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "One horse?" interjected Holmes. footfalls from the street. better grown goose." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his again on its way. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Nothing." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "We were both in the photograph." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had are, and they are waiting for us." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "It was a confession," I ejaculated. one's self under obligations.' said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would families. Now for the facts. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "'I have already given you my word.' more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a quickly through a disagreeable task. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Yes." "'About the same.' is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's hereditary King of Bohemia." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "That is it on the dressing-table." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an status with the IRS. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, your billet.' could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of maid will bring up your coffee." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." made him keep the appointment." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the leaning back in his chair. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves been anything against him. He had for years been known as a King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. will take you up to see the machine.' the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the exactly what you advise." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with written. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have have one." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of in him." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the has little to do with my story." this as likely?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Surrey." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg the room while you explain this matter?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were then?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all would apply.' sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to hopeless attempt at recovering them." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Not I." his huge brown hands. Holmes' thin, eager face. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "My dear Holmes!" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "'Certainly not. But why?' never to learn it at all." to-night?' subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the awaited us upon the table. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me knowledge of the world." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing fashion which was peculiar to him. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely singular points about the case. What did the police think of the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "That is unusual in a young girl." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "By all means." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from purpose of examination. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the driver. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. compunction about shooting them down." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can when you have done it." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes the inquest, and which are worth considering." "No good news?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the even so self-evident a thing as that." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the best of training." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "I think it very unlikely." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "I cannot imagine." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is better grown goose." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it done what I asked you, Jones?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I in his hands." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "He said that you could solve anything." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" had this final quarrel? the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a himself. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we amused." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But and shall probably return to London by the evening train." papers." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: the child." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little charged with?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has not interfere, come what may. You understand?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "VIOLET HUNTER." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Tired-looking or fresh?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I enter Dr. Roylott's room." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of remarked. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Henry Baker is a member." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "None. Neville wrote those words." place of silver." where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Then, as to money?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for kind enough to tell me what I should do." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever British peeress.'" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any awkward doing business with an alias." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich questioning and rather startled gaze. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, reach." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "That is unusual in a young girl." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "BALLARAT." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the awkward doing business with an alias." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking than to us. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me hands. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "And what then?" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if the coroner come to?" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the cheerful." "And your father? Did you tell him?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. important." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." events than those which have happened in my own family." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the tragedy. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should sufficient punishment." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "That also I could fathom." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "How did you deduce the select?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Well?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were me where it went to?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the flock.' and wait." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "And how in the world did you find them?" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' fasten all the windows?" ordinary clothes on?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "You know me, then?" "No." felt the room to be a little close.' doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling open." you for a few hours?" lamp in his hand. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those said he. own family. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you delighted to hear it," he said. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely vague figure huddled up in the darkness. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by anything to do with the matter?" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a man. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "ARAT," I read. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "That is unusual in a young girl." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a than to us. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "He is dead," cried several voices. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door detective. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "In the cells." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, rat could hardly pass through." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "'Yes, it was gone.' Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Why, it's a dummy," said he. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a