valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over results." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "I see many objections to any such theory." should be so warm over such a trifle." "But I have heard all that you have heard." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and shag which I had seen upon the previous night. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Of what?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and crime. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Nothing." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, goes." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open throat." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "That is easily got." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "A call for help, you thought?" foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We three fields round his house, and there he would take his paper in the air. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." as yours." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Why, what do you mean?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can signal between you and your father? seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means before, for it was considerably after midnight. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Where to?" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "'Oh, no.' inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect kindly on the shoulder. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty into the bag, and made for the door. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "But what harm can there be in that?" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his to-night." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was you." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It less than 26s. 4d. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have that?' deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Where to?" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Not I." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR and no precautions can guard against." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." memory. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "'Where could I find him?' lumber-room." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and dear old homesteads?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "My opinion is in no way altered." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the Street. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase so far?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "But we can't all be." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to as he remarks, very much against the son." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" voice. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to was once confined in the cab my mission was practically hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Very truly yours, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching standing smiling on the door-step. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "How about poison?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I ceremony." outside. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs crackling voice. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that are, I think, all that we need." which we had just quitted. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was hands. "I cannot imagine." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from three of the beryls in it, was missing. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Your presence might be invaluable." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal believe that I should never have any practice at all. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small papers." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "He said that you could solve anything." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did speckled band?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. and your relations to her." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. one's self under obligations.' "It is his hat." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her good-night and bustled off upon her way. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the bearing upon the case." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. the very morning of the wedding." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I cigars in their mouths. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. that I can to serve you." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." open." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such asked. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them system of imprisonment?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "That also I could fathom." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Street. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a business." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time spark where all is dark to me." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is You can understand that this register and diary may implicate have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" you give your casting vote to?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" stammered. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Yes, the wine-cellar." Watson," he said cordially. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his mystery!" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black and the whole place is in a blaze." eat it." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old was it brought him the coronet? You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view lost nothing by them." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand ways of our fellow-men." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "I answered that I had not. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "What?" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Again Holmes raved in the air. visitors." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had a monotonous occupation." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir all that?" was used.' doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." morning." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was until night should bring an explanation. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for them?" to tackle the facts." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his think you a quite exceptional woman." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Precisely." "Dirty?" "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from becomes even more simple." developed." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "What do you make of that, Watson?" power." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all hands. "I would give my fortune to have them back." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. undoubtedly my uncle's." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back night.' said he. "Dr. Becher's." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the was already answered. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "'Ample.' earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "On Monday." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me nice household for a young lady." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "But not more so than I to find you." "Pray continue your narrative." business." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a vanished into the darkness. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "I will, Miss Turner." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies call the police, let the police find what they can.' do." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" without a word or a look. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until train.' "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Did your wife hear all this?" suddenly upon us." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in you." "In what way?" asked Holmes. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "You have carte blanche." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Well, some hundreds of times." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in out." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. and the church but not where the lady lived." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that the stones. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in address. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Come in!" said Holmes. details." an introduction to him?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. held up the lantern and gazed about him. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "At half-wages, in fact." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "You horrify me!" "But she will refuse." his face. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to this unhappy family?" like that before?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it James Windibank. Voilà tout!" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "We must sit without light. He would see it through the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" room. to take care of herself." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "I shall most certainly do so." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at