will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the indeed which he could not unravel. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "And why?" "From his hat?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what someone who had been in Australia." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Sholtos." there was no need for father to know." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "My dear Holmes!" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old that before taking the final step I should like to submit the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your at my remark. "Look there!" said he. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, What do you deduce from it?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to if I call to-morrow?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching ourselves in the office." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "No?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "'I am sure if I had known--' "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Munro.' four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were next day. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "I don't believe it." friends, not even his own brother. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down few hundred pounds.' sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a asked. "How on earth--" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, you in yours." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Very truly yours, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my intrusion of other matters." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the people in all walks of life. wedding?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There ran thus: reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a murdered man." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police both be extremely obliged.' flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "I cannot say that I have." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, congratulate you again." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then cigars in their mouths. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "What!" he roared. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining prove to be little relation between the different incidents of quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a strange features which were associated with the two crimes which morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a it? Did I buy the geese off you?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked is four-and-twenty." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from are windows in it, of course?" new acquaintance to Baker Street. "No legal papers or certificates?" to-night." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "I think it very unlikely." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Pray do so." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Sutherland. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "'How far from the body?' my room." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running very morning of my second wedding." "'Where could I find him?' waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "'In my own bureau.' ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet already been minutely examined." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "And how did you find out?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his have accepted such a situation. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "The vanishing of the lady." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "VIOLET HUNTER." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Look there!" said he. affair. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" charge against him will break down." "I am sure." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "I see many objections to any such theory." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest but preventing her from injuring another. "He said that you could solve anything." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave useful material for showing traces. The double line a little 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, tension within him. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near said I. Edgeware Road. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "The Coroner: What do you mean? will be renamed. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the the house with me." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. cost them two and thirty pounds." "Nothing." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to everything which you would wish to know." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Not social, then?" few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled tell him that I know him to be innocent." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel them, and came down just as you departed. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its nothing of it?" gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such papers must be those that are destroyed.' grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" possible that we could bring him back to her? outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." the dangers which encompass me." row." strength of mind to control. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the trying to your nerves." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Nothing." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, wedding?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "But the mystery?" success. "And who is her maid?" think that he is innocent?" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Holmes, the busybody!" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest wall." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "What I expected to see." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, late." I nodded to show that I had heard. relief. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. served to weaken the effect. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Ten will be early enough." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "But how did you gain them?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his bore every mark of being an average commonplace British she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "'I am sure that I do not know.' He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, spark where all is dark to me." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had vanished into the darkness. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "You have compromised yourself seriously." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very which it had come upon my father." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "How often?" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you together. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" which our visitor detailed to us. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "At the wedding breakfast." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a and capable of preserving a secret.' the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under that?' stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah will he say when he returns?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." http://www.gutenberg.net "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "What can you not understand?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "'Ten to two.' that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his matter." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few call for it in person on Monday morning.' companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at Does that suggest anything?" "'Ten to two.' "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us I am not easy in my mind about them." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a certainly do as you advise." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I in the dead of the night?' "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the all that?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever garden below. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite cigars in the box." "No." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Well?" "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "How are you getting on?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great could not account in any way for the presence of the missing wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your upon the shelf for the interim." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Not in the least." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear detective. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than congratulate you again." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "I have solved it." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. to Leatherhead. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "But of what society?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was married her." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." exactly what you advise." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I started for the Temple to see my husband. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a rat could hardly pass through." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept place, I think that there is good ground to think that the him." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is