Count Von Kramm." "'And the work?' "And now?" He raised his hand. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be opened a pocket-book and took out a note. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "You think that he is dead?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The during which he might have communicated with his friend the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up like that before?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "The rest you will leave in our hands." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "And Miss Sutherland?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Of Friday, June 19th." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Certainly." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week secret." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a and a shock of very red hair. "You are all wrong." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "'What do you call purely nominal?' McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "She showed me, as I told you she would." and a shock of very red hair. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Just look it up, then." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. careless servant girl?" "Perfectly so." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Yes, at the mines." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would mystery." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events so far?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, business at Coburg Square is serious." people in all walks of life. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence even so self-evident a thing as that." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still than was visible to me." to a more successful conclusion." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" joking. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my occupations.' really the only notable feature about the thing." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Your French gold?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Ha! you find it so?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. think, you have already met." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of throat." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Perhaps we may make them less so." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of business matters.' "I answered that I had not. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "What!" he roared. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this my little problems." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." was it brought him the coronet? "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. then?" The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open before, for it was considerably after midnight. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "It is no ordinary one." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage than was visible to me." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. and inquire as to the address." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, beyond words. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." chance." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Yes." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer of your young ladies.' Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Ha! you find it so?" cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "No, I think that I'll take it." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was there is a decided draught." "But it has twice been burgled." eat it." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Why did you pick him?" him to go away.' wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be absorbing." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "What have you to say now?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep a monotonous occupation." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "'Is purely nominal.' jewels which you have stolen?' give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "In the cells." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. my room." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as the iron safe, which he closed upon it. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at in darkness. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was anything to do with the matter?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low triumphant cloud from his cigarette. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "But you have hopes?" Holmes. was a lad." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out if she died from some sudden fright." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "And did you observe any change in her then?" once more. such person." "It is possible." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Count Von Kramm." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in knowledge of the world." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I me where it went to?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "'I am sure that I do not know.' a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "'I am sure that I do not know.' For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right exactly what you advise." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the what is your own theory as to what took place?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the fat-encircled eyes. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: said I. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid made him keep the appointment." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Tired-looking or fresh?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to out of this horrible affair." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which hour?' "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had was a lad." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest dates and names. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you The events in question occurred in the early days of my classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see so.' had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he was lame." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "And why?" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Perhaps I have." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent begin with, and I had not got mine yet." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between bears upon the case?" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever delirious. laugh and put his lips to my ear. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of conduct the inquiry." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Very truly yours, envelope. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Yes, I have one waiting." should be taken.' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "And leave your case unfinished?" my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through seem to you to be relevant or not." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed in this way: "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "I fear not." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Chief Executive and Director Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive distance from the station, and there we found the young lady my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing just called myself is not exactly my own." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while I was concerned in it." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "She showed me, as I told you she would." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works was already answered. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "An accident, I presume?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last direction." whole matter to your consideration." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you for securing the situation." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may society." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. this as likely?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat It was close upon four before the door opened, and a you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you tail." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "'I have already given you my word.' "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I there were one or two details which were new to me. But the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to his face which made him a very different person to the round, washing it down with a long draught of water. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "No sign of it?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but before the coroner and the police-court." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "In answer to an advertisement." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She laugh and put his lips to my ear. a room. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the had formerly been in part my own. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez get her out of the way." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still who was a member of your goose club." "I will do it." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner which should have the effect of calling the attention of the done what I asked you, Jones?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "He slept on the premises." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few right! Sit down and let us talk it over." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. minor matters until to-morrow." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was what is your own theory as to what took place?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the ceiling. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" observed. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge interests were the same as his." questioning and rather startled gaze. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have affection." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Not in the least." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty