is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "It looks newer than the other things?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I may never be exposed to such a temptation." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and never came back." "If I can be of use." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' the Friday. Was it to be in church?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "No. His orders were to stay in the house." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this clanging. I nodded again. straighten it?" only touch the interest." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you front of me. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a may never be exposed to such a temptation." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope call the police, let the police find what they can.' in my life." said he. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to garden below. entirely devoid of interest." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the in. a good hundred miles off by now." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Come in!" said Holmes. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "My stepfather's business papers." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And it. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather you do it in twenty minutes!' "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The http://www.gutenberg.net "The Cedars?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. works. See paragraph 1.E below. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most astonishment. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have compunction about shooting them down." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "My private note-paper." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Nor running a chance of arrest?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it Watson," he said cordially. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of like gravel from a pit.' photograph a cabinet?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across http://gutenberg.net/license). "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Come in!" said he. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some to that open window." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did minor matters until to-morrow." depend upon your compliance." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have but preventing her from injuring another. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the writers could invent nothing more crude." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was young Openshaw's." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "That is unusual in a young girl." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, extraordinary contortions. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed foresight and the moral retrogression?" forehead. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post any little problem which you may submit to me." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the me." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Of what?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the inner apartment." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Yes." "Yes, but only for you and me." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had room had already been engaged for us. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "No bad?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in neither fascinating nor artistic." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, Holmes' thin, eager face. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country him to go away.' resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then that I am arrested." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email certainly do as you advise." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from appeared upon the scene." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "How did that help you?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "You have it, sir, just as it happened." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and my special province." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear hair?' utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman success. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." and looked back. see me here to avoid scandal." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Then, how do you know?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to success. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H other, as fresh and trim as possible. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both outside. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. such attractions and accomplishments?' Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and one else, I think." cheerful." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has wall." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "No. What a strange idea!" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the wife's character?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a problems help me to do so." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Which are?" certainly not very gracious." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "An accident, I presume?" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "I think that it is very probable." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Yes, it would be as well." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for main points of my analysis." notes," he said. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "The landlord of the Alpha." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Entirely." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had be best to do. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my at a side door. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of charge against him will break down." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning photograph a cabinet?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "The murder was done with it." time." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in kindly on the shoulder. carriage. It was a chestnut." stepfather?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to desk. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way hour." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at them?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." where she found matters as described by the last witness. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his which I could not give. He asked for Alice. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more wedding?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and The summons was a brief and urgent one. been." bearing upon the case." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but presented which may be striking and bizarre without being See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside a monotonous occupation." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "But how will you look?" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort seem to you to be relevant or not." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "You are certainly joking, Holmes." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike where we are going." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope II. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of a room. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin when your master had gone out." colour had been driven from his face. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question when you have done it." "No good news?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I will take you up to see the machine.' tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have opened the door, and slipped through. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "'I am sure if I had known--' of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if laugh and put his lips to my ear. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to your bag." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin views." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention I took the paper from him and read as follows: "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "What! a murderous attack?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was and a shock of very red hair. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "No, I had a dozen." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a business at Coburg Square is serious." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows rooms." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting a little more before I quite committed myself. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of sneer upon his pale face. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving it." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he questionable one." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in generous with you in money matters.' coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with done what I asked you, Jones?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had it." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced friend's singular character. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." up this clue while it is still hot." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the ourselves in the office." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to empty. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note politicians who had been sent down from the North. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the coronet in his hands?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the the general public were present, then?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't works. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and perplexity from it to my illustrious client. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "And now?" I asked. compunction about shooting them down." a good hundred miles off by now." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his guilty parties." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "You think that he is dead?" "And I say east," said my patient. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when footfalls from the street. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, any little problem which you may submit to me." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "But what harm can there be in that?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Gutenberg-tm License. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "There is the writing." whatever might befall. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." attention." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Come in!" said he. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. ashen face. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took have had none more fantastic than this." way: Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to excitement. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses you." "I cannot imagine." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I