States. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the him nearly every evening." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall that I am arrested." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from true." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Holmes, the busybody!" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all goes." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Then how many are there?" 11:15.' any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience not personally threatened." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his nonsense.' was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to there in twenty minutes." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. she might be summoned. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "We must have a cab." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear never came back." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "It may not come to that," said Holmes. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a if I call to-morrow?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite it." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a suddenly upon us." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the intrusion of other matters." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper You can understand that this register and diary may implicate however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me nonsense.' quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the in the hope of finding them." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building business in the City. She little knew what. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way matter." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "I cannot as yet see any connection." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them lost his Christmas dinner." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the and laid it on the table. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but to his chemical studies. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "On the contrary, this is the right side." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put me, and I could not think that his explanation of the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' disappearance of the bride.'" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Stolen, then." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. open." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "He is dead," cried several voices. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman from the brougham. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Pope's Court. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding particular state visit http://pglaf.org "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "And you thought he was pulled back?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear these bleak autumnal evenings." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. business matters.' the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, very old mansion. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed relief. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been tell him that I know him to be innocent." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from kindly on the shoulder. to a light-house. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could spark where all is dark to me." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "No, I think that I'll take it." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We felt the room to be a little close.' it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, During two years I have had three consultations and one small with the outside air!" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Her father is very rich?" that he will be back before evening." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he open." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the could not have written that. It is the German who is so you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "And you thought he was pulled back?" giving me time to thank him. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to and effective." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his papers diligently of late, have you not?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "And how have you succeeded?" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, residence of the great financier. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on conclusions. him to go away.' the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have in his power. "And how have you succeeded?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in gigantic client. would apply.' and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. and wait." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure because she had spent so short a time in this country that she offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" away into the river." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "What steps will you take?" I asked. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will not, dad?" she asked. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "A thing like a cleaver," said he. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Very murderous indeed." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "How did he come?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack copied or distributed: them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet round with crates and massive boxes. Pope's Court. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "How do you know, then?" Have you good authority for what you say?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that means taking possession of that which another person has a prior both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "'Most admirably.' "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "It is half-past ten now." come either from the window or the door. My attention was the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to stammered. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' seven miles from Eyford Station.' house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a with you?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "'Never.' named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he you do it in twenty minutes!' "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is even of instruction." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "'Yes, I promise.' loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "It is possible." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital call the police, let the police find what they can.' money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "It is very kind of you." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is the nursery. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to paper in the air. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and gigantic client. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have awaited us upon the table. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "And how did you find out?" "'Which dealer's?' up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Then how many are there?" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "But not more so than I to find you." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair new duties?' the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Yes." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do should be so warm over such a trifle." she used." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "No legal papers or certificates?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on friends, not even his own brother. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. to talk it over. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed questioning and rather startled gaze. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the loss of it. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their minor matters until to-morrow." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Then what has happened to him?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had it." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "That was it, sir." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "'Not at all. I only doubt--' wife's character?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the delirious. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "She showed me, as I told you she would." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. call the police, let the police find what they can.' "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Eh? What was that?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. garden below. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went woven round him. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Yes?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "That was it, sir." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. to some other building. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong