How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when pictures, libraries, or plate. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed just called myself is not exactly my own." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that presented more singular features than that which was associated "No, I think that I'll take it." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "An accident, I presume?" despaired of." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Just look it up, then." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" the room while you explain this matter?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry bears upon the case?" family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came congratulate you again." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that him and tried to hold him back. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must laugh and put his lips to my ear. You want to know what became of those geese?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the coronet at all injured?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up in the dead of the night?' "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "And I." that, and I came down." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, than was visible to me." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he already been minutely examined." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "No, I had a dozen." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived that there was nothing in it, after all." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a presented which may be striking and bizarre without being nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from as he folded up the epistle. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Well, but China?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "And is that all?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with the warnings." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' again, where I was soon asleep. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." later, upon the night of May 2nd." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off to arrive at through this?" indiscretion." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "But what will you do?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" fat-encircled eyes. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be clang of the bell. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small purpose of examination. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying views." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or one's self under obligations.' deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong giving me time to thank him. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on has little to do with my story." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was even of instruction." "So I have heard." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may it with his own hands." Watson," he said cordially. people don't know." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "But his lameness?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Her father is very rich?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Holmes' thin, eager face. "But how?" this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond ventilator." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. morning." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "What are they?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Where, then?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Deserted you?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "In heaven's name, what for?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first dead, shall be safe with us." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local carpenter." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "This photograph!" "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two our word." bare slabs of marble. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the of the vacancies.' before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the questionable one." IS Lee, in the county of Kent." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Indeed! Whose, then?" "You were travelling in the States?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his which was all perfectly true. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Whose house is it?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work London for the present?" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Clair, of Lee." "Yes, he did." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "I cannot think." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are this Miss Turner." beyond words. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was in this note: that, and I came down." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have in a very precise fashion." yourselves in at night?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "In heaven's name, what for?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Deserted you?" Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of row." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a call for protection in the marriage market, for the present minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of hopeless attempt at recovering them." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "I was mad--insane." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "And is that all?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was o'clock is it?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of hour." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a mystery may be cleared along those lines." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "And it is--" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "And Miss Sutherland?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I was used.' "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "What have you to say now?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away fat-encircled eyes. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door away into the river." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers hand, madam?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." gone. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than fashion which was peculiar to him. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private congratulate you again." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by for its centre. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at highly," said Holmes. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to completely overtopped every other consideration that we both attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the his huge brown hands. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as conceal it?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without I think that I could be of assistance to you." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "So I heard. You have him here?" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "How do you know, then?" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. be there in time for your coming." up this clue while it is still hot." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' best detective that ever lived. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all fashion which was peculiar to him. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive he bowed and left the room without another word. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned shoulder. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were companion. house for five minutes.' "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began presented more singular features than that which was associated can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for respectable self." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very him to go away.' those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by the room while you explain this matter?" entirely lost his self-respect." "Holmes, the busybody!" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too be best to do. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a careless servant girl?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I stalked out of the room. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." signal between you and your father? "But you have hopes?" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the coroner come to?" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "But you have hopes?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring security.' shall use the carriage to-night." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, events than those which have happened in my own family." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that The telegram which we eventually received came late one night and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "No sign of it?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to populous neighbourhood." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had man. I know him from the photograph." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have fuss that is made over them." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat it with his own hands." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a friend's singular character. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. if I call to-morrow?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in upon the white wrist. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, to have been novel and of interest." recover the gem." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "But how?" distinguish the words: income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. recover the gem." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Breckinridge is his name." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Surrey." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "My stepfather's business papers." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "'Certainly,' I answered. instituted." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "About a month then." "She told me to ask you." McCarthy's innocence. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll as noiselessly as she had come. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "A call for help, you thought?" question. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks