"'Yes, sir.' coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' the ceiling. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "The gentleman I describe." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' like gravel from a pit.' what these perils are?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the nursery. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and remarked. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "And Irene Adler?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men forehead. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "But he might be a bachelor." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must outside." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary careless servant girl?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to bled considerably." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some again, where I was soon asleep. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Yes." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "If so, much may have happened between." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Have you her photograph?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right back into the street. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." details." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear mystery!" way in." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Serpentine Avenue. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "I have solved it." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Then, how do you know?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the any more." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "One of his hands." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant are, I think, all that we need." are, I think, all that we need." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "I am about to be married." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a mysterious business." what do you think they found in the pockets?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "And how in the world did you find them?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and is worth.' photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap details should find their way into the papers. Inspector my room." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its soul! here is her carriage at the door." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my for the market.' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "VIOLET HUNTER." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other certainly do as you advise." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "By no means." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "But you can know nothing of this?" said I. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would hands. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "And what did you learn from him?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled sake, don't!" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from works. and the church but not where the lady lived." "Game for a morning drive?" Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' I. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked place no limit on the sum I may draw." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall upon the white wrist. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, galvanised. like that before?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too the King without delay." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Then you may entirely rely on me." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently in a friendly supper." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece soul! here is her carriage at the door." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Pray do so." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. interests were the same as his." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your or other trace. But how on earth--" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at vanished into the darkness. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. death." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Yes, it was twisted." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Pray do so." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your tail." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads which it had come upon my father." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "He is still with you, I presume?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what indeed happy." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely the window, rose as we entered. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "I have my revolver," said I. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Yes, only one." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with II. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day key turn in the lock." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "It is very kind of you." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he sentimental considerations in the background which would induce centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, grasp, he hurried from the room. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Here?" at my own good fortune. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and that he will be back before evening." even of instruction." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it things are very often connected not with the larger but with the to-night." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses less than 26s. 4d. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Holmes, the busybody!" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have waste of energy." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Never." disturbance in my wife." four million human beings all jostling each other within the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, writers could invent nothing more crude." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "But to whom?" did not hear it also.' is," said he presently: hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. if she died from some sudden fright." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, London for the present?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a me where it went to?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "It is no ordinary one." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but useful material for showing traces. The double line a little there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and from you?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice digesting their breakfasts at home." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "And your mother is alive?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some sneer upon his pale face. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has said he. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said guilty parties." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take writers could invent nothing more crude." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always place of silver." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "In San Francisco, a year ago." the night.' should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the him, that man would not have given me such complete information flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest have accepted such a situation. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped certainly not very gracious." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a despaired of." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope legal crime." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled me have 200 pounds?' o'clock is it?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late dramatic, in fact." next day. "'You cannot say what it was?' "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" experiences." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through someone who had been in Australia." "I cannot as yet see any connection." over with notes and figures. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free felt the room to be a little close.' job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, villagers almost as much as their master. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and some water from a caraffe. "From his hat?" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "And now?" He raised his hand. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "'Not at all. I only doubt--' encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "What! You do not mean bodies?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point gives a meaning to it." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it three fields round his house, and there he would take his The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Then I am your man." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Oh, fresh and glossy." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for and the whole place is in a blaze." your troubles." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were is so. I know all about McCarthy." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Stoke Moran." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a always that they were such commands as a lady might with say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Where, then?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "What is it, then--a fire?" events, Mr. Windibank!" in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite colonel looking down at me. main points of my analysis." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the written. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Very truly yours, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity."