"Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is fled together." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or fled together." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "By no means." been shamefully used." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I appointment with me for six o'clock?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Witness: Nothing definite. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. crowd. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you strength." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he than was visible to me." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can me where it went to?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." upon the sideboard." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "We must have a cab." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the other, as fresh and trim as possible. locked." "Perhaps we may make them less so." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be I nodded to show that I had heard. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative mystery." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "'You cannot say what it was?' "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "'Yes, sir.' "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me golden eyeglasses. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Is he quiet?" into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on burst out into a roar of laughter. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the been able to understand it, in a very few words. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Yes, it was twisted." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place with the outside air!" and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my back to my heart. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real so.' lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of morning." "And when will you call?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "What will you say?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." here." said Mr. Holder. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, respectable self." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and plantation.' All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back populous neighbourhood." woven round him. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me to-night?" I asked. fact, we may call it conclusive." "What! a murderous attack?" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "No, finished." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "So I am. Very much so." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day carriage. It was a chestnut." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. It may be so in this case, also." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "This concluded the examination of the witness." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door morning." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that signal between you and your father? of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there shag which I had seen upon the previous night. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a could gather together that I was able to avert another public be best to do. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. hardly wander." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Will you bet, then?" "Never." overpowering excitement and concern. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Pray continue your narrative." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly persecution?" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come system of imprisonment?" your co-operation." night.' said he. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Game for a morning drive?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "It came here." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an *** START: FULL LICENSE *** between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in case before our client came into the room." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom bedroom door." have been better. It is all right." "No bad?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of furiously. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been anything to a woman, for she would have her way." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Dark enough and sinister enough." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "But what is it you wish?" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "I should wish to." other, as fresh and trim as possible. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but appeared upon the scene." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I should wish to." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the all-comprehensive glances. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have been." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was over part of the map. "What do you read?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "'I am sure if I had known--' wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she upon a handsome competence. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of problems help me to do so." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that foresight and the moral retrogression?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right your co-operation." and all of them with the keenest interest. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, maid will bring up your coffee." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." horse could go." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we Holmes' thin, eager face. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us room. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room true." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "One horse?" interjected Holmes. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary whereabouts. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted stalked out of the room. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his shall use the carriage to-night." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "On your arm?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of of Fenchurch Street." "I think it very unlikely." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either of them has the shutters up.' you?' number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not coat-tails." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. tail." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility thought that she would have been so carried away." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, kindly on the shoulder. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low what these perils are?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "At what time?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He vanished into the darkness. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "That is also quite modern," said the lady. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "I have seen the police." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring flock.' the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No existence." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend which was all perfectly true. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door second." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on tell me that you intended to go into harness." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, with you alone." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "One of the highest in England." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own plantation.' evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on ashen face. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "A confidential servant?" was lame." the nursery. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business in the dead of the night?' downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. was already answered. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and it with his own hands." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged hour?' people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat for and were ordered to this address. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I The events in question occurred in the early days of my "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning in a very precise fashion." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all The police have openly confessed that they can at present make VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE you do it in twenty minutes!' bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but