self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your affection." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did right! Sit down and let us talk it over." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got an introduction to him?" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the depend upon your compliance." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Leadenhall Street--and--" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," wife's character?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Do you go out much in society?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, During two years I have had three consultations and one small that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free bird I ate is country bred." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "And on what day did he meet his death?" prepare for the new role I have to play." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was address. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from not as remarkable as your advertisement." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "I say it is." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should hardly wander." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper towards the blaze. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the quick march!" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several which I could not give. He asked for Alice. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my and wait." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Ample." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "How did you trace it, then?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "No legal papers or certificates?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." question. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "It was an hour's good drive." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our through." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Entirely." you." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a ourselves in the office." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his you do it in twenty minutes!' heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "You don't mind breaking the law?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied gone. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "No, my brougham is waiting." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "'About the same.' Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to province." appeal." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon ourselves in the office." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." wedding?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in miles off. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six noise which awoke you from your sleep?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue the warnings." sound at heart." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and in him." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a geese which you supplied to the Alpha." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "How often?" heavily into it. conduct the inquiry." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake the armchair which I pushed forward for him. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Holmes. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "'You cannot say what it was?' His name is Francis Prosper." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Never." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Pray do so." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the of campaign. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. wedding?" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "I am to be neutral?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the maiden herself was most instructive." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was was used.' card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "No, distinctly professional." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the of his shoulders. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my a little more before I quite committed myself. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. important." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "What of the rat, then?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Pray continue your narrative." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper dear old homesteads?" "Then I shall certainly come." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "But who is he?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous maid will bring up your coffee." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt matters immensely." it right.' mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever been." goes." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. beg that you will break it off." awkward doing business with an alias." "Will you bet, then?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Murdered?" stammered. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." legal crime." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "It must be recovered." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "No legal papers or certificates?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "How on earth--" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to I was concerned in it." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Well, but China?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." your room." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a foresight and the moral retrogression?" giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "There is the writing." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are himself. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "We must have a cab." mysterious end." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and she to prove their authenticity?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Ah!" gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Always." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left fear." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in to a more successful conclusion." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large public press." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking nice household for a young lady." "Absolutely none." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, carpenter." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for least a fellow-countryman. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he your bag." chance at all." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "And now?" He raised his hand. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' detective. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest character. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, you do it in twenty minutes!' reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "My photograph." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a fuss that is made over them." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my visitors." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." someone who had been in Australia." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "You think that he is dead?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has down. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "'And the work?' have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "BALLARAT." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, papers must be those that are destroyed.' there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to dead, shall be safe with us." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Your French gold?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Then I can wait in the next room." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," salesman. "We have tried and failed." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of