familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Countess of Morcar's?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "My last client of the sort was a king." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Why serious?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day promised to bring home. fashion which was peculiar to him. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Dr. Becher's." excitement. "Holmes, the busybody!" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from sake, don't!" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De villagers almost as much as their master. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing because she had spent so short a time in this country that she seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "'Yes, it was gone.' Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that himself in a perplexing position. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we lamp. "It is true that I have been generally successful." maiden herself was most instructive." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what place, I think that there is good ground to think that the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the know that the truth is known." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "My dear Holmes!" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "'Yes, sir.' William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Your sister is dead, then?" investigation." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Why, it's a dummy," said he. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Quite so. She has her freedom." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, presented more singular features than that which was associated all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. DISSOLVED. Countess of Morcar's?" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly yet." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "My dear Holmes!" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "By all means." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR made his money." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Lee, in the county of Kent." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "'Which dealer's?' valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard for securing the situation." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "None." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he my special province." with the outside air!" dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met leave you to your papers for a little." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you and glanced through. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. again." through." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Holmes' face clouded over. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "He is dead," cried several voices. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. evidence," I remarked. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Where to?" "But who is he?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The entirely lost his self-respect." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "9th. McCauley cleared. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "It was an hour's good drive." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her look dissatisfied." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to a monotonous occupation." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own point in the dark hollow of his hand. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Only as much as we can deduce." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "That is it on the dressing-table." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, I took the paper from him and read as follows: something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Did you observe the colour?" "Was there a secret marriage?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' IS room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. II. papers diligently of late, have you not?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "'Yes, it was gone.' are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "And Irene Adler?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony digesting their breakfasts at home." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "I promise," said Holmes. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles absorbing." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive despair." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "One?" answered with a sidelong glance. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "I cannot as yet see any connection." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "It is solved." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the him nearly every evening." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was intrusion of other matters." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Not him." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the gone. distinguish the words: "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Stolen." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the success. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the upon an income of about 60 pounds." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote detained." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a just called myself is not exactly my own." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE me. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "A call for help, you thought?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the one as in the other." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my thought that she would have been so carried away." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day meanly of me." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "I cannot as yet see any connection." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "No bad?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his an introduction to him?" "My dear Holmes!" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a have had none more fantastic than this." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" when you have done it." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which with frightened eyes at his accuser. been shamefully used." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to investigation." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom not within a twentieth part of the market price." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had to-night?' fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, I shall communicate with you." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Now, then, what's the last entry?" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." that you can jump it.' "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. go--none." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not room had already been engaged for us. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "But it has twice been burgled." "Pray do so." brain must have something in it." be. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave never to learn it at all." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the charge against him will break down." "I cannot imagine." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "But how will you look?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning present strange and interesting features that it is no easy followed. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I am following you closely," I answered. were wasted." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" is," said he presently: ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a had this final quarrel? "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else."