to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a noting anything else of interest. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? here." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the already been minutely examined." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "'And what salary do you ask?' their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "A greater distance to travel." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears guilty one." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Pray let us have it, for all that." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a directors have had misgivings upon the subject." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten pound a week." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "'About the same.' exactly what you advise." "He disappeared so suddenly." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the gbnewby@pglaf.org trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: formed some opinion?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may have accepted such a situation. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "I shall most certainly do so." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "A call for help, you thought?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a have an American origin." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." spare." happened." "Stolen." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask business came to an end." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance my room." seem to you to be relevant or not." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the one as in the other." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "What shall I do?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I this remarkable episode. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. and wait." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" already referred to. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, delighted to hear it," he said. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he a few minutes he said that it would be all right. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner outsides of the windows. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. cheerful." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This said I. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of prepare for the new role I have to play." crime." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "I have my revolver," said I. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. several quiet little villages up there." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is II. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport companion quietly. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the roused himself from his reverie. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' But Holmes shook his head gravely. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Never to return." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and of Mr. Rucastle's." leave you to your papers for a little." kind enough to tell me what I should do." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until be best to do. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Holmes' face clouded over. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not despair." me. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. lamp in his hand. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "That was it, sir." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge he bowed and left the room without another word. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint one or two very singular points about this room. For example, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Sutherland?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of spark where all is dark to me." opportunities to fix the problem. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "'I have already given you my word.' near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this read it out to me." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see fish-monger and a tide-waiter." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "You don't mind breaking the law?" suddenly upon us." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even there has been an enclosure here!" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "'Never,' said I. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even if I call to-morrow?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "But not more so than I to find you." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not and it need not interfere very much with one's other "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he place of silver." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "And how did he make his money?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A now. It seems that there had been some informality about their machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an sofa. This way, please!" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "By all means." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I points in connection with it which never have been, and probably went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary opened a pocket-book and took out a note. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the cigar and let me expound." system of imprisonment?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they notes," he said. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the your only hope of safety." door?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Yes, they were peculiar boots." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "My private note-paper." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Nothing." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "I was afraid that you were engaged." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in all?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most tell him that I know him to be innocent." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "She will not sell." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Edgeware Road. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us bonnet, and went out." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "The doctor?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we man. I know him from the photograph." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "At half-wages, in fact." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those congenial hunt. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." might help us?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where highly," said Holmes. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right gives a meaning to it." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his carriage. It was a chestnut." the devil!" was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place your co-operation." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Nothing?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "'Certainly not.' know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, will take you up to see the machine.' initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped intimate personal affairs in this public manner." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some your only hope of safety." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Was the window open?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "'Ample.' On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the been with you?" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. people in all walks of life. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit on in his house." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Then, as to money?" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from towards the blaze. burst out into a roar of laughter. Sutherland. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution October 9, 1890. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. chambers. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "No sign of it?" me where it went to?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "I should like to see him very much." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was returned to France?" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark