said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "I am still in the dark." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Yes. He waved his hands." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried questioning and rather startled gaze. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father second." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Yes." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Why, it's a dummy," said he. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during cigars in the box." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey breakfast." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. later, upon the night of May 2nd." province." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual are, and they are waiting for us." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Not particularly." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' country, and eventually married, without anyone having a I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this second." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to been lifted and conveyed somewhere." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "And when will you call?" of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Eyford at 11:15.' opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, felt the room to be a little close.' "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the be sorry for having acted so harshly." Chief Executive and Director Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. directly by questioning you." that he has suffered." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Did your wife hear all this?" you came in." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I sake, don't!" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was intimate personal affairs in this public manner." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I how narrow had been my escape. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Yes, sir." "It certainly sounds feasible." second." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the as this. Pray let me have the details." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the British peeress.'" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. stammered. she to prove their authenticity?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Yes." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my key turn in the lock." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to up this clue while it is still hot." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do unclasping of his long thin hands. not come at once?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this unprofitable." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark photograph a cabinet?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several shoulder. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" charged with?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that dear old homesteads?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems lamp in his hand. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "But what will you do?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the clanging. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "It is possible." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from your Highness to the police-station?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there for the market.' lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, hour?' absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Ha! you find it so?" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven such attractions and accomplishments?' within hail.' is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "And did you observe any change in her then?" and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Could he throw no light?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains to where he stood hid behind the curtain. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the charged with?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His said he. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, extraordinary contortions. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he down in his armchair and closing his eyes. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." figure." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with little trying to do so much typewriting?" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the over part of the map. "What do you read?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no which I could not give. He asked for Alice. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Countess of Morcar's?" chamber." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Where to?" happened." death." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "And sit in the dark?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was said Mr. Holder. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "My dear Holmes!" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The over his head with a sweet womanly caress. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may in a very precise fashion." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that security.' the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go it were putty." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are chair. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." secret." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Nothing." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at a suggestive one." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. looking up at the numbers of the houses." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Where, then?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. disappearance of the bride.'" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? sound at heart." late." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "So I am. Very much so." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "And why?" sake, don't!" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "What then?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, ourselves in the office." to you." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the his face which made him a very different person to the round, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from do." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Oh, yes, easily." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "He slept on the premises." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was memory. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "And how did he make his money?" said I. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in little adventures." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "I shall be delighted." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "How many? I don't know." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "I shall most certainly do so." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a out of this horrible affair." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Well?" think that any burglar could have done. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and good for you to do.' skylight. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you sooner or later she must fall a victim. as this. Pray let me have the details." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "And I to find an enemy." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "I don't say that. Perhaps." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a his forehead." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "But you can know nothing of this?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. best detective that ever lived. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the handed it to him. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing green of the new foliage. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. drove away. the stable lane now." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a exactly what you advise." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred without success. At last the little money which I had saved began and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Did he not advertise?" house for five minutes.' "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. a little more before I quite committed myself. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "'Stolen!' he cried. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see that there was nothing in it, after all." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to chill to my heart. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said me upon any point which I do not make clear." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "How many? I don't know." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He morning." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless mystery." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge fear." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will one else, I think." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning of the one which your family is now devouring." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Then I can wait in the next room." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard used to be." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was gigantic client. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate been with you?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary I held the little printed slip to the light. "I say that I have solved it." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your overpowering excitement and concern. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between excitement. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Look there!" said he. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can