"Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "On the contrary, this is the right side." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in so far?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." placed his cuttings. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was 11:15.' whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is help us in this matter." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon in this note: "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "When did she vanish, then?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "But not more so than I to find you." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "What steps will you take?" I asked. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, meant it for the best. fluttered off among the others. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "It is solved." "No." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Thank you. Pray proceed." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, compunction about shooting them down." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and papers must be those that are destroyed.' be. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Certainly." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" nonsense.' own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm bare slabs of marble. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in fact, we may call it conclusive." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of into the room. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of certainly not very gracious." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, once more for Briony Lodge. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." have one." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Then, how do you know?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort as yours." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute answer." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." the best of training." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can must compliment you." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been of fine shops and stately business premises that they really utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman weary and pale-looking. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." lectures into a series of tales." "And your mother is alive?" "Whose house is it?" the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "What! a murderous attack?" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and brain must have something in it." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Not in the least." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the the Red-headed League." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself row." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Again Holmes raved in the air. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three late!' it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant putting in the horse. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "No good news?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he to-night's adventure." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand already been minutely examined." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "You have a clue?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge singular points about the case. What did the police think of the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business this remarkable episode. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either lectures into a series of tales." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some to-night?" I asked. shoulder; "he's all right." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he the stable lane now." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated quite distinctive." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the what I may call a really hard day's work." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "I think that I had better go, Holmes." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" time." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in leaning back in his chair. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "What then?" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon relief. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Did your wife hear all this?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Have you good authority for what you say?" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "No, I think that I'll take it." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "The doctor?" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the national property. I was determined that the law should have its to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Not particularly." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any ceremony." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "I see no marks." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "What then?" flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her is a common subject for conversation. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Holmes. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting existence." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, the address that was given us in the advertisement. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Precisely." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own His name is Francis Prosper." was already answered. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over are, and they are waiting for us." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. the date of his supposed suicide." footfalls from the street. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, province." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Sholtos." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter our word." yet." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Eh? What was that?" it were putty." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of helping a boy to put up the shutters. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet knowledge of the world." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Imitated." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my coroner's jury." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "'It is locked up,' I answered. breakfast?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. if I call to-morrow?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Yes." remarked. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we This is what he says: "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his them, and came down just as you departed. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." suddenly upon us." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and What do you deduce from it?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "What! a murderous attack?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Yes." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' key turn in the lock." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. entirely devoid of interest." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Then you may entirely rely on me." at my remark. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "That also I could fathom." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in have established a very serious case against the son of the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "'Certainly not. But why?' "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Watson," he said cordially. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned trifles." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they lumber-room." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Yes." meanly of me." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." upon the sideboard." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this chair. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Holmes. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed at my remark. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the prison!" this as likely?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "What will you do, then?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "You horrify me." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we enter into my head. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Ah!" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "'Not at all. I only doubt--' conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Yes." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you acted in my house last night?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project his knees, staring into the fire. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would that, and I came down." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "I have solved it." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No affair. walking." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in into the bag, and made for the door. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Will you bet, then?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. away to you." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. situation." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my