to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view for and were ordered to this address. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a in his power. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when to some other building. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my in him." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that morning." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the the morning and make my own way in the world.' disturbance in my wife." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will the inquest, and which are worth considering." "I have come for advice." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence said Mr. Holder. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel shall use the carriage to-night." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, page at http://pglaf.org have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. one's self under obligations.' these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "At half-wages, in fact." "What can you not understand?" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Yes." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Well?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a together. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a one else, I think." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to and effective." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the hair?' wedding?" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my matters immensely." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions meant." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his were new raised from a basin. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "What are they?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "It is true that I have been generally successful." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." in darkness. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "And now?" I asked. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can and shall probably return to London by the evening train." the window, rose as we entered. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to whatever might befall. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "You have carte blanche." acquaintance?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "'Never.' down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and memory. you understand?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, developed." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself outbreak?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and you found me to-night--and running through the front room she 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he bird of prey. upon the sideboard." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. man. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said questioning and rather startled gaze. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "On your arm?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of learned something! Where are the gems?" his forehead." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, fled together." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "How on earth--" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as been able to understand it, in a very few words. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was danger is over." "I would pay ten." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is in my life." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Has he come with you to-night?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." arrangements." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between have I gained?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that at once, for I have only half an hour." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It in the hope of finding them." once more to my work. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on From what you have told me I think that it is possible that held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was chill to my heart. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the 1.F. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. wanted for ourselves." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious infinite languor in his face. "Then what has happened to him?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very crackling voice. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "No, thank goodness, she did not." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Then I do not see the point." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed mystery!" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in was a lad." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was bears upon the case?" lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "And when will you call?" Surrey." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a better grown goose." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham goes." business in the City. She little knew what. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "I was afraid that you were engaged." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "I don't believe it." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, spare." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an sake, don't!" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it himself to tell his story. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight respectable self." that, and I came down." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "He slept on the premises." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had several quiet little villages up there." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "No, I think that I'll take it." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she go from here to the Strand." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Never to return." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "No bad?" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "How on earth--" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help to where he stood hid behind the curtain. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in unclasping of his long thin hands. if only as a check to my own memory." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "But the mystery?" she to prove their authenticity?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From mysterious business." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Game for a morning drive?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards like that before?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not it. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Yes." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB on in his house." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Yes, certainly." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into certainly do as you advise." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "A confidential servant?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was grasp, he hurried from the room. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered all?" "Yes, it was twisted." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "'Yes, sir.' and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is to me. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "An accident, I presume?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their case-book, which he consulted. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at maiden herself was most instructive." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian danger is over." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET thin, with a long, sharp nose?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from point our research must commence, and we will begin it by is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the towards the blaze. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "That is unusual in a young girl." paper in the air. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "'I have already given you my word.' in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "No, I think that I'll take it." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Then the page we have seen--" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have he died? desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "That is unusual in a young girl." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "At the wedding breakfast." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good money should be paid at once.' examination of the premises, but without finding anything which desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But appeared upon the scene." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman annoyance, but no jest. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, have established a very serious case against the son of the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter that?' Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Oh, the cause is excellent!" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "The Cedars?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Quite so." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of the very letters. But what is this written above them?' was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that once more to my work. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel three fields round his house, and there he would take his of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the one as in the other." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the During two years I have had three consultations and one small The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Murdered?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "I would pay ten." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so three of the beryls in it, was missing. "You saw the ventilator, too?" responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet