"You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Certainly." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "How about poison?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE thin, with a long, sharp nose?" such person." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and it right.' "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." companion imperturbably. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been was shining brightly. "'Never.' you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send main points of my analysis." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Eh? What was that?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "There is the writing." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "We have tried and failed." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "What, then, did Peterson do?" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "I am still in the dark." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "On the contrary, this is the right side." the inner apartment." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one voice, changing her seat as requested. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, exactly what you advise." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the whatever might befall. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She he died? the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. stepfather?" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "A confidential servant?" "No more words. Get out!" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "What do you make of that, Watson?" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "On the contrary, this is the right side." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, that "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Pope's Court, Fleet Street." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached possible that we could bring him back to her? "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but habit of advancing money.' three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, should be so warm over such a trifle." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the second." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora shall not find me ungrateful." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either occurred." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court if she died from some sudden fright." know what is wrong with it.' there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Where did he live, then?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some October 9, 1890. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted be.' cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the money should be paid at once.' "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." do." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" corner of the building. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "My stepfather's business papers." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny comes from the middle window." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "I am in hopes that she does." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a of a light. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a against a man in the prime of life?" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to to talk it over. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during is worth.' knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Have you it here?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "And why?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; do you make of it all?" who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. upon a handsome competence. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I acquaintance?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "You will not go there first?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. laugh and put his lips to my ear. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the me where it went to?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." would apply.' shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine asked. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms *** START: FULL LICENSE *** see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "You don't mind breaking the law?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "But what will you do?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Pray let us have it, for all that." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "'I am sure if I had known--' prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he such person." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was tear off another piece?' were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Miss Holder?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Never." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated letters?" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers man. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Quite so." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used in this way: quickly through a disagreeable task. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of redistribution. electronic works "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Have you her photograph?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' in his power. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement look dissatisfied." "Not particularly." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously without success. At last the little money which I had saved began for its centre. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, society." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," became a certainty. are, and they are waiting for us." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately conceal it?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Witness: Nothing definite. next day. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "What can you not understand?" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence strange features which were associated with the two crimes which suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good companion imperturbably. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There redistribution. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "'Never.' opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." asked. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "I know where it is." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We companion quietly. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad four million human beings all jostling each other within the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that fasten all the windows?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I such person." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Yes, it was twisted." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three interest. They are important, you understand, without being "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "But you were on a friendly footing?" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "What, then, did Peterson do?" license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them of Fenchurch Street." hurried away. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. call for it in person on Monday morning.' thought that she would have been so carried away." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can held up the lantern and gazed about him. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I foot. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Lee, in the county of Kent." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in sooner or later she must fall a victim. "I was afraid that you were engaged." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Dr. Becher's." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it what is your own theory as to what took place?" speckled band?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled during the last few years, and there are many noble families to During two years I have had three consultations and one small searched, without anything being found which could incriminate the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Only as much as we can deduce." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make eavesdroppers?' it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a so.' charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." your equipment. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that But Holmes shook his head gravely. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "A client, then?" your equipment. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose question. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Perfectly so." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Yes, it would be as well." photograph?" window when the police appeared." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "The landlord of the Alpha." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number companion.