It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in interests were the same as his." awaited us upon the table. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away had a long day." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "She will not sell." "Quite so. She has her freedom." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to appeared upon the scene." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until it." any more." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have your billet.' which we had just quitted. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed I think that I could be of assistance to you." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The was already answered. "Stoke Moran?" said he. companion quietly. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt followed. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless examine." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "I will not look." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "That is it on the dressing-table." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle meanly of me." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "On your arm?" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your strong reason behind." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put said he. "'In my own bureau.' the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But neither fascinating nor artistic." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "'Not at all. I only doubt--' and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all will take you up to see the machine.' life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right ashen face. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' depend upon your compliance." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Upon what point?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "'It is locked up,' I answered. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "'In my own bureau.' forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, and all of them with the keenest interest. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a clanging. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no to me. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "But his left-handedness." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "'And the work?' very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some me, and I could not think that his explanation of the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a very peculiar words of the dying woman?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he said he at last. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be the loss of it. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of bonnet, and went out." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most wedding?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "He is dead," cried several voices. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, himself to tell his story. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "I think it very unlikely." "That is unusual in a young girl." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Entirely." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural breakfast and whispered something to her husband. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. here and I will read it to you: compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed me have 200 pounds?' delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up bell. Holmes whistled. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "It is a murder, then?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Holmes' face clouded over. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Entirely." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John salesman. fact, we may call it conclusive." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Where does the thing come from?' once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note strong reason behind." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "What office?" wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "I cannot say that I have." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged fait accompli?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and arms and began to sob in a high treble key. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. away to you." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. and inquire as to the address." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' or other trace. But how on earth--" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, presented more singular features than that which was associated line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "You think so, too?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, copied or distributed: secret." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been dead, shall be safe with us." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At becomes even more simple." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Why did you beat the pavement?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully shall not find me ungrateful." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our horse could go." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but taking in every detail of the apartment. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that correct than the official force." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Dark enough and sinister enough." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though I have it here in my museum." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the him." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking the coronet in his hand?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is existence." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I unkempt, staring out at me. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and all?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "ARAT," I read. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "I don't believe it." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten that the gas is not laid on in his house?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set be.' "'What, the red-headed man?' "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. other means.' "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "I never have." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Then I shall certainly come." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of was a loud and authoritative tap. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Precisely." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was other lovers by making love himself." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with bed dies. Does not that strike you?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. of it with the greatest attention. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point garden below. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off you found me to-night--and running through the front room she without a word or a look. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing discontent upon his features. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the upon the white wrist. that you wished to speak to me?' discontent upon his features. my special province." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the telegram would bring me down to your help." "Very. But will he see it?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was recover the gem." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He information in his hands the value of which he did not himself have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Then you may be so with me." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Thank you. And your address?" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to so.' impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "How did you trace it, then?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that make me his representative both with the servants and with the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, ordinary clothes on?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose of them has the shutters up.' "Then, how do you know?" detained." occurred." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "You think that he is dead?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the round with crates and massive boxes. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "'And the work?' very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of public press." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from lamp. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE