Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the of it with the greatest attention. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. questioning and rather startled gaze. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my just called myself is not exactly my own." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you interests were the same as his." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my you came in." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Foundation or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work never will be, entirely cleared up. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "I assure you that I am in your hands." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project hereditary King of Bohemia." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm again on its way. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since figure." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "By train from Waterloo." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to front of me. "The murder was done with it." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every meant it for the best. Sutherland. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation more terrible than the truth. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary a suggestive one." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "'Never.' should be so warm over such a trifle." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Then the page we have seen--" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as existence." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of Eyford." business?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "What steps will you take?" I asked. crowd. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who putting in the horse. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly the running down." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been opened the door, and slipped through. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "I have come for advice." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," closely." "Do you know him?" this poor creature." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the over part of the map. "What do you read?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to there." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "The landlord of the Alpha." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." became a certainty. "Yes." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "But how?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my allusion to a rat. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in more terrible than the truth. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." is now desirous of getting those letters back." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. followed. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my neither fascinating nor artistic." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "'Entirely.' down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "And leave your case unfinished?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods one else, I think." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with at a side door. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Very murderous indeed." you understand?" window when the police appeared." she might be summoned. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, definite end. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the call it cruel." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who in him." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "A greater distance to travel." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are DISSOLVED. hopeless attempt at recovering them." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we night.' said he. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." on re-entering her father's house?" "The landlord of the Alpha." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you made him keep the appointment." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Yes, sir." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." records." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to which it had come upon my father." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked his eyes and forehead. about here speaks of his kindness to him." writing, and yet I know it well." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up chair. bearing upon the case." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Which are?" like gravel from a pit.' dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "No, thank goodness, she did not." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with a little more before I quite committed myself. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you papers on the sundial.'" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Dark enough and sinister enough." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. directly by questioning you." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for I am not easy in my mind about them." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your more solid." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both past. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Here?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such ready to-morrow?' Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Stolen, then." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the inner apartment." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. felt the room to be a little close.' man. I know him from the photograph." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce comes from the middle window." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "You don't mind breaking the law?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the For additional contact information: "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "You saw the ventilator, too?" derbies." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, daring than any effort of the imagination." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads the coronet in his hand?" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. possible that we could bring him back to her? and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Only as much as we can deduce." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly was shining brightly. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "'What are you doing there?' he asked. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an giving me time to thank him. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the open." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the voice. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "None." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one gigantic client. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at any." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and derbies." upon the sideboard." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." the coroner come to?" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "'Where to?' "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be burst out into a roar of laughter. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "You know me, then?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. father's young wife. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager gone before you can get him to hospital." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "ARAT," I read. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Yes, all." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his carpenter." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this pierced for earrings?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have might help us?" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project business came to an end." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Your sister is dead, then?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no you." when your master had gone out." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or said he at last. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the in this way: quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Oh, fresh and glossy." Where does the thing come from?' young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "I cannot imagine." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few dear old homesteads?" "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the address that was given us in the advertisement. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and all?" "We have tried and failed." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly straighten it?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in vault. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the the bed, and you in that chair." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could this Miss Turner." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "But you can know nothing of this?" plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very in this note: "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Nothing." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt call for protection in the marriage market, for the present to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Project Gutenberg-tm works. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "He slept on the premises." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich himself. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said business." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less