inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but examination of the premises, but without finding anything which to you." "Seven!" I answered. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which door?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Pope's Court, Fleet Street." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the certainly not very gracious." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was people don't know." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing direction." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was and that he would see to anything that turned up. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Sutherland?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in weary and pale-looking. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "'Not at all. I only doubt--' would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen what these perils are?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "'Quite sure, dad.' anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time but preventing her from injuring another. "And how in the world did you find them?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be strength in the others." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "I should like to see him very much." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought unprofitable." Henry Baker is a member." British peeress.'" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am hour?' It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as chill to my heart. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "And who is her maid?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre nothing of it?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the answered with a sidelong glance. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. wedding?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "'Not at all. I only doubt--' license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some cigars in the box." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Yes, that is the Crown." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "'Stolen!' he cried. this remarkable episode. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the the window, rose as we entered. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to ventilator." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but business came to an end." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left tell me that you intended to go into harness." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a arrangements." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" might have a private word with us. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "I say that I have solved it." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" the bed, and you in that chair." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per any more." place of silver." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the him nearly every evening." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and once more on the important position which you have been fortunate front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH entirely lost his self-respect." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and strong and stiff." how narrow had been my escape. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Precisely so. But how--" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the tragedy. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." touch that coronet?' safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to yourselves in at night?" to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary exactly what you advise." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia public press." John Swain, of St. Augustine. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "9th. McCauley cleared. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Stolen, then." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Holmes' face clouded over. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the should be so warm over such a trifle." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I a very grave face. call the police, let the police find what they can.' to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he geese which you supplied to the Alpha." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but tension within him. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! appeared upon the scene." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." begun to whiten, even as mine has." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "'What do you call purely nominal?' morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for cost them two and thirty pounds." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "I know where it is." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking you." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very singular points about the case. What did the police think of the for and were ordered to this address. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my is a common subject for conversation. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a were unconscious?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Project Gutenberg-tm works. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by him!" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "'A dozen yards or so.' "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is quite distinctive." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge bedroom door." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." fact, we may call it conclusive." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might triumphant cloud from his cigarette. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "No, I am descending." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more my room." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "But his lameness?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "No, I am descending." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an over here." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "That is unusual in a young girl." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "What will you say?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His respectable self." "None." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a any." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was any little problem which you may submit to me." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between are windows in it, of course?" Holmes." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a careless servant girl?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you chambers. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to giving me time to thank him. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of assist you in forming an opinion." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." quick march!" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. never will be, entirely cleared up. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely have accepted such a situation. gbnewby@pglaf.org "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days shaken than I had ever seen him. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. plantation.' long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double residence of the great financier. I held the little printed slip to the light. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by horse could go." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical legal crime." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. closing the door. had formerly been in part my own. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria new duties?' What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill ways of our fellow-men." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no situation." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No which our visitor detailed to us. "One of the highest in England." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Seven!" I answered. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "'I am sure that I do not know.' weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "No more words. Get out!" once more to my work. Lee, in the county of Kent." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court wedding?" me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." the general public were present, then?" without a word or a look. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Holmes." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "No." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm is," said he presently: