"It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and affair. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble The King stared at him in amazement. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "It is a murder, then?" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Then the page we have seen--" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "How did that help you?" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this that he will be back before evening." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last just ask you whether you had heard it.' about here speaks of his kindness to him." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "You were travelling in the States?" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical extraordinary contortions. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the the stable lane now." your equipment. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Always." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "I warn you that they are very incomplete." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "The murder was done with it." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the about here speaks of his kindness to him." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in morning." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do wedding?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the my room." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Yes." woven round him. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. hour?' My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a if only as a check to my own memory." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some it. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight of the vacancies.' of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "A call for help, you thought?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can leave you to your papers for a little." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "When did she vanish, then?" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Well?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a pressing in one house as in another. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. you do it in twenty minutes!' means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was noting anything else of interest. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until felt?" observed. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a you came in." "Where did you address your letters, then?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but during that time.' freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" wedding?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." interests were the same as his." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Two days later this same performance was gone through under pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit views." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Holmes' thin, eager face. absorbing." "A client, then?" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Certainly." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Then the page we have seen--" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his do.' "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she province." "You have the photograph?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "What do you make of that, Watson?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "If so, much may have happened between." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The shall use the carriage to-night." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light upon an income of about 60 pounds." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable very old mansion. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "The King of Scandinavia." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses into the bag, and made for the door. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Yes." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "It's nothing of the kind." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "And from a noble client?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: himself to tell his story. from you?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "It missed him, then?" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Seven!" I answered. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through indeed which he could not unravel. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend keep the flames under. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what my secret was safe in his possession. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would delirious. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out clang of the bell. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his me what he had done with the three missing stones. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see there." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less acted in my house last night?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her strength in the others." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "None." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he himself. putting in the horse. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Clair, of Lee." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "I am to be neutral?" upon the sideboard." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of to change my dress. some terrible trap for her." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, advice." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an see a sister of mine apply for." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "'And the work?' "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; entirely devoid of interest." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "BALLARAT." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went and a shock of very red hair. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Yes, certainly." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." point in the dark hollow of his hand. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and just ask you whether you had heard it.' know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "I would give my fortune to have them back." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the himself in a perplexing position. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, call you and give you the chance." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed is acting for the best. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy the child." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Yes, certainly." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only peculiar to him. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was their singular warning or token before them when starting upon reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Holmes. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is events, Mr. Windibank!" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but that I can to serve you." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a for its centre. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call DISSOLVED. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and just called myself is not exactly my own." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" desk. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely upon the sideboard." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers interest. They are important, you understand, without being no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite bedroom door." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "'Very good.' great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "My photograph." "Then, as to money?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Look there!" said he. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, breakfast?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced criminal. We have already had experience of such." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You My friend smiled. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. entirely devoid of interest." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say to a light-house. "He said too much." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no might help us?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. you want, then?' abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Clair, of Lee." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, invisible to me," I remarked. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is rat could hardly pass through." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which upon a handsome competence. "Certainly." beg that you will break it off." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him and the church but not where the lady lived." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: advice." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said seen the man in the road." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "And now?" He raised his hand. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Pray be precise as to details," said he. room had already been engaged for us. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "You have compromised yourself seriously." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature flock.' girl said." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. taking in every detail of the apartment. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. seem to you to be relevant or not." outbreak?"