in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "I would pay ten." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I absorbing." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the weighed down with some great anxiety. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, to-night's adventure." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every anything to do with the matter?" the date of his supposed suicide." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. individual and becomes the badge of a society." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a one or two very singular points about this room. For example, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is could gather together that I was able to avert another public beyond words. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained at a side door. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "'Entirely.' read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I envelope. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "No." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was in this note: "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in my former friend and companion. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. footfalls from the street. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with maid will bring up your coffee." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." of." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I back alive. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' your equipment. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." with you alone." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Very murderous indeed." have had none more fantastic than this." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Well?" "Not in a good cause." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got occupations.' "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly what is your own theory as to what took place?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Sholtos." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the pierced for earrings?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, business at Coburg Square is serious." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "'About the same.' "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that morning." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning considering the formidable letters which were received by himself some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have families. Now for the facts. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master opened a pocket-book and took out a note. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from attention." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'I am sure if I had known--' half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She Mary, has deserted me." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "The decline of his fortunes, then?" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I prison!" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us enough to aid us in our search." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly your most interesting statement." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial grasp, he hurried from the room. other means.' permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it envelope. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "'It is locked up,' I answered. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people in a very precise fashion." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately conceal it?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "I see no marks." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small rat could hardly pass through." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "You did not overhear what they said?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It here and I will read it to you: Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him with some details as to your case." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "'Certainly,' I answered. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two meanly of me." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Did your wife hear all this?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the Red-headed League." "But we can't all be." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper written. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come certainly not very gracious." way: lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "My last client of the sort was a king." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "At what time?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his back into the street. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Ha! you find it so?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a had picked up in the wood. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for people don't know." compunction about shooting them down." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some several quiet little villages up there." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "I fear not." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. straighten it?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Yes, all." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both This is what he says: have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt even of instruction." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Deserted you?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for allusion to a rat. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Foundation call for it in person on Monday morning.' "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that is now desirous of getting those letters back." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "No." "This concluded the examination of the witness." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Whose house is it?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend bare slabs of marble. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes appeal." "'In my own bureau.' refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." the one as in the other." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive have got?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who interested in these little problems, and since you are good of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Not him." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I see me here to avoid scandal." "Yes, it would be as well." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Did he not advertise?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. I nodded to show that I had heard. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "I am to be neutral?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." allusion to a rat. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled the matter?" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as fat-encircled eyes. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I villagers almost as much as their master. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. your troubles." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Yes, sir." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a and have this put in the evening papers." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Look there!" said he. must be when I saw the door open.' What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is You can understand that this register and diary may implicate however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method