a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Ha! you find it so?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of green of the new foliage. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into formed some opinion?" page at http://pglaf.org methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear when your master had gone out." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something as yours." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open excitement. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed views." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: orange pips. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Won't it ring?" planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow room had already been engaged for us. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding chambers. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Who by?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the hard-headed British jury." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" the Assizes." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow said he, "my real name is James Ryder." this unhappy family?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "But I am all in the dark." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'Tell me all about it,' said I. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their presented more singular features than that which was associated "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. The events in question occurred in the early days of my nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and of a light. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my that you saw all that I did." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in indeed which he could not unravel. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to heavy and sharp instrument." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well if she died from some sudden fright." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "To an English lawyer named Norton." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "'I am sure that I do not know.' into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in is four-and-twenty." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter charged with?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm his knees, staring into the fire. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "I shall be delighted." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which upon the shelf for the interim." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than it." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "'What then?' I asked. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the begun to whiten, even as mine has." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "No, I am descending." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "What can it mean?" I gasped. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Foundation speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in late." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the very morning of the wedding." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Have you good authority for what you say?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at good-night and bustled off upon her way. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were your only hope of safety." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another residence of the great financier. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Eyford at 11:15.' his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy are windows in it, of course?" business at Coburg Square is serious." "'How far from the body?' were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat over part of the map. "What do you read?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable ordinary clothes on?" contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "You have compromised yourself seriously." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that morning." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Thank you. And your address?" photograph?" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "BALLARAT." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." security.' "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut several quiet little villages up there." McCarthy's innocence. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "My opinion is in no way altered." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little case-book, which he consulted. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "And did you observe any change in her then?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "And how did you verify them?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck these bleak autumnal evenings." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. My friend smiled. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps galvanised. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. only touch the interest." "Indeed! Whose, then?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Yes." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "What! You do not mean bodies?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter observed. into the room. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. families. Now for the facts. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against asked with his eyes open. voice. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said plantation.' is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was see me here to avoid scandal." and no precautions can guard against." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If help us in this matter." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Doctor, of the paper and the date." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. back to my heart. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you both be extremely obliged.' to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "'Oh, no.' went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary you, my dear young lady?' roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having even of instruction." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes tassel actually lying upon the pillow. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "To ruin me." "Yes, certainly." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "'Ample.' "'No, I know no one in these parts.' he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but of receipt of the work. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" affection." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a own family. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was matter over." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair careless servant girl?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "ARAT," I read. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But down from London to inquire more deeply into it." noble correspondent could be. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "'It is locked up,' I answered. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "I cannot tell." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London populous neighbourhood." thirty. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Yes." electronic works round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek locked." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and there in twenty minutes." this man was intellectual?" have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Here?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in rooms." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice such person." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done washing it down with a long draught of water. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "It is half-past ten now." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "'You cannot say what it was?' in a very precise fashion." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "But she could not love him." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm me." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "'Ten to two.' hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "I am about to be married." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" deduce something from that?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive a room. our word." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner locked. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an such person." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "And the cigar-holder?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, go from here to the Strand." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and this poor creature." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr.