in a very precise fashion." "Well." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To together. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. official police." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "A client, then?" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He that admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "'A dozen yards or so.' "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" it." "What office?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Never." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was Leave Paddington by the 11:15." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to it with his own hands." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you case before our client came into the room." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly whether it answered to the description of any of their He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Pope's Court. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have annoyance, but no jest. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it License. You must require such a user to return or "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, answered with a sidelong glance. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking unprecedented a position." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. been." room had already been engaged for us. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "You have carte blanche." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs all?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking business in the City. She little knew what. direction." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "One of the highest in England." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "'I have already given you my word.' inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Bought." flock.' "You have the photograph?" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting right! Sit down and let us talk it over." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Really! You surprise me." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough investigation." upon the white wrist. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "The Cedars?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad window when the police appeared." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "At half-wages, in fact." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, present." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of seem to you to be relevant or not." detective. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "I cannot imagine." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a in this note: how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "I think that it is very probable." salesman. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly true." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you out of this horrible affair." "What can it mean?" I gasped. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, ceremony." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "And why in hopes?" companion. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "'Ten to two.' day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them know what is wrong with it.' really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they young Openshaw's." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The gbnewby@pglaf.org higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the room while you explain this matter?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. unkempt, staring out at me. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "The murder was done with it." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more my room." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "It is solved." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. then?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I of your young ladies.' yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, front of me. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "And how in the world did you find them?" all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no and the colonel ushered me in. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "How long did she speak to this Alice?" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Heh?' my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, invisible to me," I remarked. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE money should be paid at once.' stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Again Holmes raved in the air. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he that before taking the final step I should like to submit the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the had died away into the silence from which it rose. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would directors, with the result that you have seen." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "He said too much." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I spare." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "In what way?" asked Holmes. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for yet." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Countess of Morcar's?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is locked. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Pope's Court. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "But how?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "What shall I do?" retorted upon me, and I on you." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Very well, sir. And this stone?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "I should be immensely obliged to you." Holmes' face clouded over. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "'Very good.' "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done indeed happy." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. delighted to hear it," he said. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate newspaper selections." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in round with crates and massive boxes. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital along the entire front of the house, with three long windows interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I indeed which he could not unravel. time." hair?' "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining bearing upon the case." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" himself in a perplexing position. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but singular points about the case. What did the police think of the heavily into it. indeed happy." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her of the vacancies.' status with the IRS. in his power. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before envelope. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE to tackle the facts." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect do.' conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "What are they?" than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his mystery may be cleared along those lines." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "I answered that I had not. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Absolutely none." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "How did you deduce the select?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" in the port of London." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Entirely." later, upon the night of May 2nd." "But what will you do?" them?" of Mr. Rucastle's." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Always." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? call you and give you the chance."