"And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp upon an income of about 60 pounds." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of of them has the shutters up.' and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' for securing the situation." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope distance from the station, and there we found the young lady don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side believe that I should never have any practice at all. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project 1.F. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's note?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "By no means." exactly what you advise." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the overpowering excitement and concern. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "No." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle beg that you will break it off." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Why did you pick him?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be been deceived." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which written. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any tightly behind him. "The murder was done with it." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my suspect him." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps his forehead." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to without success. At last the little money which I had saved began pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "In what way?" asked Holmes. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "'As governess?' his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general letters?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "'As governess?' had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug key of the affair now." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of if only as a check to my own memory." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ details." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the that he has suffered." "Yes, but only for you and me." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and appointment with me for six o'clock?" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a absolutely follow my advice in every respect." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I that wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an fat-encircled eyes. past. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, money should be paid at once.' younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to hour." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for of it with the greatest attention. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "'Oh, no.' "Then what has happened to him?" delirious. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her and capable of preserving a secret.' drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he hurried by. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he to talk it over. bears upon the case?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "And what then?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. more solid." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "'I have heard so.' "'It is locked up,' I answered. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far read over the extraordinary announcement. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This of the efforts of the United States government and of the better It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "She walked into the breakfast-room." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. helping a boy to put up the shutters. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Edgeware Road. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing present." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name some mystery and the punishment of some crime." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his and that he would see to anything that turned up. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would the inquest, and which are worth considering." to have been novel and of interest." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took been lifted and conveyed somewhere." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of a good hundred miles off by now." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Holmes, the busybody!" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential outside. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "And from a noble client?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without article?" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "'Which dealer's?' events than those which have happened in my own family." at my own good fortune. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, of his shoulders. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the has little to do with my story." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not cause to be." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "I am still in the dark." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the coroner come to?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "'You doubt its value?' he asked. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg information in his hands the value of which he did not himself have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a window when the police appeared." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Pool. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. be.' half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Can I be of assistance?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his nonsense.' the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue then?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "I will do it." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country Leadenhall Street--and--" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you indeed which he could not unravel. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "No bad?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Pray continue your narrative." in his power. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "And why in hopes?" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "That is also quite modern," said the lady. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "No." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Never to return." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper like gravel from a pit.' logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right indeed happy." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my upon the white wrist. was already answered. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Then how many are there?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some had picked up in the wood. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the investigation." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' had this final quarrel? wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you as noiselessly as she had come. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." enough to aid us in our search." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag married her." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about danger is over." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of morning." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" ourselves in the office." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "How often?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side in one or two places in England?' vanished into the darkness. Farm upon the left." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Seven!" I answered. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to with frightened eyes at his accuser. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "And when will you call?" "A client, then?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in province." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "10th. John Swain cleared. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the morning and make my own way in the world.' reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon the roots. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his hopeless attempt at recovering them." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. like that before?" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "My stepfather's business papers." "10th. John Swain cleared. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Only as much as we can deduce." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect