it." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "My dear Holmes!" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker in the hope of finding them." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness recover the gem." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, distinguish the words: "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." narrative." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." the window, rose as we entered. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the nursery. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The imbecility!" he cried. mystery!" papers must be those that are destroyed.' all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Now, then, what's the last entry?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it vanished into the darkness. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "And why?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Holmes' room. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that said Mr. Holder. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "I cannot think." was a loud and authoritative tap. "I know where it is." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "I have solved it." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "No sign of it?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, second." II. "You know me, then?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 begun to whiten, even as mine has." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of with you?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "'As governess?' He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "I fear not." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "What!" he roared. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the opened the door, and slipped through. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close question. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "What steps will you take?" I asked. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. written, and locked the door of the office after me. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting rose-bushes. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to a monotonous occupation." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the power." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all manager. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to whole matter to your consideration." "Were they all fastened this morning?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. very morning of my second wedding." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked what these perils are?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "I should wish to." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "No." congenial hunt. "And I say east," said my patient. "What, then?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "I cannot tell." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy interest. They are important, you understand, without being with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes during which he might have communicated with his friend the in him." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' out." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right the stones. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to particular state visit http://pglaf.org "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, constraint." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door assist you in forming an opinion." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from chill to my heart. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to in his hands." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish some place of shelter and let the county police know what has outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and more terrible than the truth. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "About a month then." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door copied or distributed: rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a be sorry for having acted so harshly." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "It was." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is not use it unless it is absolutely needed." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Can I be of assistance?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "None." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "I shall most certainly do so." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of suddenly upon us." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains foot. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who my special province." "No, thank goodness, she did not." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in which are rolled in Rotterdam." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Was he the only applicant?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "And that is--" your sleep?' sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, nothing with him." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's is four-and-twenty." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six against a man in the prime of life?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming third from London." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "None. Neville wrote those words." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors crackling voice. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "'Yes, it was gone.' License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Eyford." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into salesman. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Where did you address your letters, then?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "And help." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. certainly do as you advise." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which You want to know what became of those geese?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "And how have you succeeded?" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Come in!" said Holmes. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." fatally injured? "In the cells." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "But what harm can there be in that?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Count Von Kramm." signal between you and your father? given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there so far?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was imbecility!" he cried. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, you." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Come in!" said Holmes. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "I will try. What is it?" wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, tear off another piece?' took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me ways of our fellow-men." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. felt?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of approach us with offers to donate. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew pity, because in other respects you would really have done very the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too there." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat your Highness to the police-station?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. together. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." go back?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "What! You do not mean bodies?" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and completely overtopped every other consideration that we both story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "It is his hat." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Certainly." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and that you saw all that I did." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "That is unusual in a young girl." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" skylight. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "I was afraid that you were engaged." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Yes, there are nearly always some there." has little to do with my story." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Lee, in the county of Kent." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the general public were present, then?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Then, as to money?" 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "'I am sure if I had known--' a little more before I quite committed myself. during which he might have communicated with his friend the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "It's nothing of the kind." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as said he at last. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "What then?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short and the colonel ushered me in. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "'Stolen!' he cried. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did really the only notable feature about the thing." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend enough to aid us in our search." back alive. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. happened." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Stolen." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I be there in time for your coming." events than those which have happened in my own family." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind prisoner's face. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the read it out to me."