"I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his deduce something from that?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "'Oh, no.' stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an hurried by. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. hard-headed British jury." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Did you become engaged then?" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. promised to bring home. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." views." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Very murderous indeed." Street. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the like that before?" late!' "'I have already given you my word.' "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" within hail.' feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "My stepfather's business papers." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." national property. I was determined that the law should have its Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Proceed, then." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. bell. Holmes whistled. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. the tragedy. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." you want, then?' England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "How often?" Pope's Court. orange pips. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. yourselves in at night?" "You horrify me!" had formerly been in part my own. "Certainly." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an colour had been driven from his face. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Has he come with you to-night?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have success. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Absolutely none." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "And the murderer?" into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one mysterious end." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Precisely so. But how--" "Not in a good cause." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "I say it is." may never be exposed to such a temptation." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "What can you not understand?" observed. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive your most interesting statement." eat it." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the lost nothing by them." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "My photograph." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter yet." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her eavesdroppers?' purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Yes." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul could not account in any way for the presence of the missing three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, humiliation." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the my room." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Who by?" "What office?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action locked. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at during that time.' granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the some city in a dream. "What do you make of that, Watson?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Did your wife hear all this?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his cigar and let me expound." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have your co-operation." at once, for I have only half an hour." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in breakfast and whispered something to her husband. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, the driver. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to congratulate you again." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." late." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the plantation.' envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's chemical work which was so dear to him. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "You don't mind breaking the law?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "'Yes, sir.' you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great the roots. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of amused." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "And you don't know his address?" the Red-headed League." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "'Yes.' "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The are, I think, all that we need." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the stones. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. fishes. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands October 9, 1890. Arthur Conan Doyle "I warn you that they are very incomplete." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "I am still in the dark." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared with her." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made himself to tell his story. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "You don't mind breaking the law?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Holmes' face clouded over. "'Where could I find him?' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the shoulder; "he's all right." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly in the dead of the night?' held up the lantern and gazed about him. "I assure you that I am in your hands." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how developed." touch that coronet?' summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark cheerful." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down meant it for the best. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. friend's singular character. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a least a most suspicious remark." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. it." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Precisely so. But how--" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and child?' away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man asked. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Then, as to money?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Pray let us have it, for all that." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Your French gold?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the my special province." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer them?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Your French gold?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Was there a secret marriage?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "I fear not." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." sofa. This way, please!" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Nearly eleven." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be respectable self." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "What of the rat, then?" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a cigar and let me expound." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet him." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Can I be of assistance?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. is four-and-twenty." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Always." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile the little opening for the ventilator is." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "My photograph." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how You want to know what became of those geese?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that not use it unless it is absolutely needed." the night.' been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous one's self under obligations.' was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion said I. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord mystery." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "It is very clear." goes." him and tried to hold him back. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. I approached. lips." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon business matters.' "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." said I. this unhappy family?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. in. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I should wish to." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "BALLARAT." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "And did you observe any change in her then?" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his must compliment you." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Precisely." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was arms and began to sob in a high treble key. article?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "The best possible." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. DISSOLVED. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of bonnet, and went out." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "I am following you closely," I answered. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "But your client--" "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her third from London." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: recover the gem." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid sparkled upon his finger. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change business at Coburg Square is serious." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who