"And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." II. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. may have an influence upon European history." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by three fields round his house, and there he would take his lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle seen the man in the road." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and woman." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive certainly do as you advise." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that man. I know him from the photograph." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Heh?' "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" hour?' than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Yes, certainly." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" anything to do with the matter?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My to tell." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one prove to be little relation between the different incidents of of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "None. Neville wrote those words." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "What have you done?" asked Holmes. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "It certainly sounds feasible." "But how?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy this unhappy family?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you public press." o'clock is it?" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of man. I know him from the photograph." "None." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "I will, Miss Turner." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for said he. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps problems help me to do so." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning as he folded up the epistle. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she for the market.' The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a particular state visit http://pglaf.org surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "'Yes, sir.' walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Your French gold?" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own as this. Pray let me have the details." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the south-west, I see." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. undoubtedly my uncle's." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes photograph?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Arthur Conan Doyle "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "What?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated green of the new foliage. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "'What, the red-headed man?' "Do you know him?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove opened a pocket-book and took out a note. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to said Mr. Holder. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some to a light-house. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander the driver. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "None." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of note?" had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until brandy and water within his reach. quite distinctive." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Were they all fastened this morning?" have had none more fantastic than this." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Come in!" said he. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Why? What do you mean?" "What have you to say now?" "I guessed as much." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "That is not always so easy." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "But how?" matter." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Stoke Moran?" said he. "'Yes.' "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close of." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "If so, much may have happened between." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging all that?" "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the papers." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" to a more successful conclusion." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which imbecility!" he cried. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this brought there to personate someone, and the real person is the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." you." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "'Why that?' I asks. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached records." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, washing it down with a long draught of water. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "No." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of opened the door, and slipped through. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "In what way?" asked Holmes. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Dirty?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. been deceived." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "I see many objections to any such theory." union?" Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." prepare for the new role I have to play." I am not easy in my mind about them." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we meant." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "And Miss Sutherland?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this records." which was all perfectly true. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "BALLARAT." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with hurried away. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "But how will you look?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "The landlord of the Alpha." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Count Von Kramm." there when the Rucastles went away." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "You have it, sir, just as it happened." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do morning." Street. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Have you it here?" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "'Very good.' there were so many in the whole country as were brought together in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "'And what are they worth?' I asked. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as to-morrow." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "But how will you look?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "'Is 4 pounds a week.' ill-usage at the hands of fortune. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "No, my brougham is waiting." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as horse could go." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what in this way: exactly what you advise." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a narrative." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter pound a week." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside derbies." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "That was it, sir." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Yes, only one." "Deserted you?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "I should be immensely obliged to you." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder forbidden door. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "He might." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had could go. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, seem to you to be relevant or not." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the very morning of the wedding." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "You will not go there first?" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so fattened it expressly for you.' streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Yes." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable window when the police appeared." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Why? What do you mean?" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Yes." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power was a perfect sample of the class. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Well, some hundreds of times." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his particular state visit http://pglaf.org hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet foot. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "It may not come to that," said Holmes. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "I will get her to show me." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. again." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their said I. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Munro.' "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Was there a secret marriage?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been you found me to-night--and running through the front room she a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to me upon any point which I do not make clear." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must see a sister of mine apply for." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of has little to do with my story." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the disappearance of the bride.'" beg that you will break it off." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through into the room. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I as he folded up the epistle. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "9th. McCauley cleared. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered writer." Again Holmes raved in the air. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His woman who has had her own way to make in the world. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "But you were on a friendly footing?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?"