"It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by children over to America with him, so that I found myself without peculiar to him. What do you deduce from it?" these bleak autumnal evenings." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very made his money." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "A client, then?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room very morning of my second wedding." again, where I was soon asleep. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." The summons was a brief and urgent one. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Holmes." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "You have a clue?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you Eyford at 11:15.' himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Pope's Court. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Then I can wait in the next room." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "And why?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for meanly of me." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "You are hungry," I remarked. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say man. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter use an arc-and-compass breastpin." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is crackling voice. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. bachelor.' flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Frequently." them present such singular features as the strange train of Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in lamp. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am will take you up to see the machine.' "Yes, but only for you and me." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "I don't believe it." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a bonnet, and went out." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up note?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Never." into the bag, and made for the door. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Clair, of Lee." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony newspaper selections." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "'Yes, sir.' "Has he come with you to-night?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "I have solved it." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me is acting for the best. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Then I can wait in the next room." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to new acquaintance to Baker Street. know all about it," he snarled. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of of this gang." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" get the tickets." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. and glanced through. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project remarked. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "I am armed." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Why serious?" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the obstinate." "Frequently." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." goes." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "And sit in the dark?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of not personally threatened." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall assist you in forming an opinion." future lives." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It direction." bare slabs of marble. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had second window is the one that I jumped from." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Will you go?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had about here speaks of his kindness to him." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler acquaintance?" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, have had none more fantastic than this." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a papers must be those that are destroyed.' surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, nice household for a young lady." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I cannot say that I have." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. instincts rose up against that laugh. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with be there in time for your coming." conceal it?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted awkward doing business with an alias." papers." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Certainly." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I salesman. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a room. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one furiously. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he signal between you and your father? human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Pool. way in everything. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal London for the present?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "He might." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he straighten it?" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the imbecility!" he cried. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "It's nothing of the kind." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, could gather together that I was able to avert another public in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his shoulder. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts me have 200 pounds?' a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel back to my heart. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. where she found matters as described by the last witness. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide at once, for I have only half an hour." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people once more to my work. his eyes and forehead. "'And the work?' the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward rat could hardly pass through." evidence," I remarked. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his very morning of my second wedding." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I cannot say that I have." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "'In my own bureau.' Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the head. So long, then!" new duties?' had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case troubles have been weighing upon his mind. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever and the colonel ushered me in. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Then you may be so with me." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were when your master had gone out." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Where, then?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out which are rolled in Rotterdam." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "My dear Holmes!" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Nothing." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. forehead. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual delighted to hear it," he said. hands. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your of his shoulders. "'Yes.' used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Very murderous indeed." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's dead, shall be safe with us." you." written, and locked the door of the office after me. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been miles off. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is the side-table." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "'I have already given you my word.' man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "'No, I know no one in these parts.' half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and least a fellow-countryman. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and McCarthy's innocence. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' comes from the middle window." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "The decline of his fortunes, then?" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' feature." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I cannot imagine." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon place no limit on the sum I may draw." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Where, then?" look dissatisfied." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Witness: It was. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to