"How did he come?" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." leave you to your papers for a little." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he walking." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to it." carried out of court." could gather together that I was able to avert another public Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is without a word or a look. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it name is different." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her out." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as you." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; page at http://pglaf.org crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Yes, at the mines." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a some place of shelter and let the county police know what has may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. unprofitable." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to bore every mark of being an average commonplace British enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Chief Executive and Director down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a written. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "And help." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Yes." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards have been better. It is all right." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the may have an influence upon European history." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every writing, and yet I know it well." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had to-night?" I asked. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Yes, that is the Crown." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Pray continue your narrative." me. You must get home instantly and act." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the fuss that is made over them." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that nonsense.' conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? down in his armchair and closing his eyes. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "ARAT," I read. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "The King of Scandinavia." "It came here." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 there in twenty minutes." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian like that before?" strength in the others." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "But what harm can there be in that?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new retorted upon me, and I on you." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we What do you deduce from it?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be works. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Have you good authority for what you say?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "What, then, did Peterson do?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and note?" where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "The King of Scandinavia." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Foundation "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you affection." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "But how could you guess what the motive was?" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may promised to bring home. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the I took the paper from him and read as follows: there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three away to you." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" placed his cuttings. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa absorbing." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried have got?" "'What, the red-headed man?' directors have had misgivings upon the subject." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' discontent upon his features. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "I have seen the police." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "An enemy?" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your that I can to serve you." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the fishes. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "It is half-past ten now." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Not particularly." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all you came in." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "I will do it." meanly of me." the side-table." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "By no means." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some flock.' struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "And you don't know his address?" annoyance, but no jest. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight and inquire as to the address." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Of what day?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that said he. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you without success. At last the little money which I had saved began gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. have an American origin." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too you give your casting vote to?" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "9th. McCauley cleared. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight allusion to a rat. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Yes, only one." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts it. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the yards of it?' village inn over there?" "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. go from here to the Strand." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: key of the affair now." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very cost them two and thirty pounds." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "What, then?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. spare." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." instincts rose up against that laugh. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing breakfast?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Yes, sir." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' interests were the same as his." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the people don't know." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they without a word or a look. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue second." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small hereditary King of Bohemia." was feeling which was the fattest.' "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'Ten to two.' was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "How do you know, then?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. from you?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something your co-operation." "Here?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little returning from some small jollification and was making his way orange pips. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. matter over." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Never." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my very peculiar words of the dying woman?" success. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a manager. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Yes?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but prove to be little relation between the different incidents of disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has upon the shelf for the interim." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "He said that you could solve anything." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Stoke Moran." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is here." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. me upon any point which I do not make clear." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "But what will you do?" your room." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "By all means." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in strength of mind to control. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I am armed." depend upon your compliance." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE results." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "But you can know nothing of this?" Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls I took the paper from him and read as follows: "None." place of silver." newspaper selections." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the point in the dark hollow of his hand. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with depend upon your compliance." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when would then never go into court at all." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "We must have a cab." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he ceremony." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. together. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK