"It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "But I am all in the dark." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so been shamefully used." laugh and put his lips to my ear. Farm upon the left." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." drove away. "Yes." made him keep the appointment." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "So I heard. You have him here?" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "What do you mean?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Not in a good cause." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." appointment with me for six o'clock?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was the loss of it. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt upon the sideboard." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that invisible to me," I remarked. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Frequently." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, skylight. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was despair." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Always." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Awake, Watson?" he asked. asked. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" hurried away. himself in a perplexing position. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. http://www.gutenberg.net glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive have accepted such a situation. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" shaken than I had ever seen him. case-book, which he consulted. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Nothing." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "No bad?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." bedroom door." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and I took the paper from him and read as follows: "No, finished." "I assure you that I am in your hands." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Clair, of Lee." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his the coroner come to?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the general public were present, then?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "You have a clue?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." carriage. It was a chestnut." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, residence of the great financier. together. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so do." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Stoke Moran?" said he. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first she has been waylaid. There has been no result." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Very murderous indeed." gone. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no Holmes' face clouded over. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "She told me to ask you." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting have not had my rubber." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. to-night?" I asked. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet are, and they are waiting for us." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right introspective fashion. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project bachelor.' right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, would then never go into court at all." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "No, I think that I'll take it." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have is a common subject for conversation. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Seven!" I answered. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so cost them two and thirty pounds." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in to-morrow." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring said he. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. events, Mr. Windibank!" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And and all of them with the keenest interest. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away assist you in forming an opinion." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up of the one which your family is now devouring." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is and your relations to her." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing off." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "In which, sir?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham felt?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "What is it?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Holmes' thin, eager face. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold ready to-morrow?' merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you events, Mr. Windibank!" his cane at the bell-pull. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several I leave." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "It is a murder, then?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of name is different." maiden herself was most instructive." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds John Swain, of St. Augustine. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the your bag." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on families. Now for the facts. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my fear." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination yet." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "I beg pardon." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. interest. They are important, you understand, without being "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Was he the only applicant?" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." hour?' as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "My own seal." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "But his lameness?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. companion. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to note?" "Yes." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. to-night's adventure." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the coronet in his hand?" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even been shamefully used." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss himself to hunt down. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "'Never,' said I. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "And you can do nothing until then?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Yes, that is the Crown." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in morning." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be his forehead." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not ran thus: with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he had a long day." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness ready to-morrow?' have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these husband's writing, madam." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "It must be recovered." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are that, and I came down." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I delighted to hear it," he said. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet heavy and sharp instrument." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A matter." "I will not look." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Yes." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Yes." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the have been better. It is all right." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood security.' stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that discontent upon his features. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Witness: Nothing definite. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Come in!" said Holmes. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "What office?" of Mr. Rucastle's." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "We must have a cab." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "He slept on the premises." "'Never,' said I. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong I nodded again. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to completely overtopped every other consideration that we both is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could if she died from some sudden fright." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "What then?" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some weary and pale-looking. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so up this clue while it is still hot." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between place, I think that there is good ground to think that the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "On your arm?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. astonishment. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink it." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled