Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no any." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known rose-bushes. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I to take care of herself." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have colonel looking down at me. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "We have tried and failed." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Game for a morning drive?" sufficient punishment." in darkness. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, not as remarkable as your advertisement." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible with you?" reach." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "You did not overhear what they said?" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to in his hands." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, IS "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my was shining brightly. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Holmes. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of not interfere, come what may. You understand?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Do you go out much in society?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked fluttered off among the others. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his suspect him." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "But not more so than I to find you." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Then he might have called to you?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem conceal it?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Again Holmes raved in the air. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his front of the hall door has given its name to the place. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "I am about to be married." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. to tell." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, locked. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "I would give my fortune to have them back." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. straighten it?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is to surprise her." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's allusion to a rat. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the before the coroner and the police-court." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. and the colonel ushered me in. "But not more so than I to find you." to tell." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House tension within him. the devil!" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Street. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Yes, only one." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "My last client of the sort was a king." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "'How far from the body?' suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists not as remarkable as your advertisement." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "To an English lawyer named Norton." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, know what is wrong with it.' "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given had no one to advise her at such a crisis." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Texas, I think." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "She will not sell." such person." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and delirious. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. chambers. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "By train from Waterloo." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these dramatic, in fact." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "My dear Holmes!" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my she has been waylaid. There has been no result." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Yes." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Where did he live, then?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "In San Francisco, a year ago." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others in this note: face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took furiously. she used." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. papers." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for hard-headed British jury." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "'Where to?' is now desirous of getting those letters back." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have father's place of business?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had weighed down with some great anxiety. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it upon a handsome competence. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for drove away. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's what these perils are?" in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "'Why that?' I asks. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, lost his Christmas dinner." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small forecastle of an emigrant ship. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "I am armed." is so. I know all about McCarthy." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard three of the beryls in it, was missing. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Certainly." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal seen the man in the road." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his used to be." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "What of the rat, then?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I back alive. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Nothing." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "I cannot as yet see any connection." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Won't it ring?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me visitors." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. me. You must get home instantly and act." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Nor running a chance of arrest?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of was lame." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "'Yes, sir.' "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do character. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "By train from Waterloo." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Whose house is it?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His down in his armchair and closing his eyes. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the date of his supposed suicide." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. dear old homesteads?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), mystery." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "On Monday." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. emerged. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael chance." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Yes." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "He disappeared so suddenly." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence danger is over." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea she used." or other trace. But how on earth--" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them main points of my analysis." without a word or a look. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one the coronet at all injured?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very sound at heart." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. electronic works passage and a tap at the door. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Who by?" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which observed. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Chief Executive and Director of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, digesting their breakfasts at home." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "An enemy?" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if character. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency outbreak?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project whatever might befall. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind.