Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah tear off another piece?' hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. out." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "At half-wages, in fact." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got article?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the most interesting one." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. quite distinctive." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "My opinion is in no way altered." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. and the whole place is in a blaze." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found wanted for ourselves." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Where, indeed?" round with crates and massive boxes. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." case before our client came into the room." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "I cannot tell." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Yes." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their than was visible to me." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "I was mad--insane." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left might have a private word with us. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that strode off upon his way. "Yes. He waved his hands." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "No legal papers or certificates?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "He said that you could solve anything." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Then what has happened to him?" ceremony." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. nice household for a young lady." matter over." "What is it, then--a fire?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had could gather together that I was able to avert another public "She told me to ask you." indeed happy." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, name is different." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the about. "What can you not understand?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is I. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is forebodings. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under and no precautions can guard against." room. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in anything to do with the matter?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the you." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side notes," he said. "Thank you. And your address?" homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. unkempt, staring out at me. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was believe that I should never have any practice at all. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white before the coroner and the police-court." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt in one or two places in England?' snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing you." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special to a more successful conclusion." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to upon the shelf for the interim." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, him and tried to hold him back. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was the armchair which I pushed forward for him. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "'Most admirably.' the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. tell him that I know him to be innocent." if only as a check to my own memory." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I coroner's jury." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked becomes even more simple." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" he bowed and left the room without another word. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE test if we have an answer to our advertisement." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go than to us. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she in one or two places in England?' last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "A greater distance to travel." might have a private word with us. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend crackling voice. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." several quiet little villages up there." "'Yes, I promise.' repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a flock.' it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a to have been novel and of interest." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "'Ten to two.' "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Two days later this same performance was gone through under the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Do you go out much in society?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates questionable one." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Here?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. him. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "But his left-handedness." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "One horse?" interjected Holmes. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "What, then?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I direction." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some than was visible to me." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I other means.' remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if presented more singular features than that which was associated "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; bearing upon the case." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "You know me, then?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found would then never go into court at all." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "I am all attention, madam." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to beg that you will break it off." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "None." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I some water from a caraffe. friend's singular character. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of It may be so in this case, also." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time desk. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the have got?" there when the Rucastles went away." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making certainly not very gracious." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Yes, at the mines." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some presented which may be striking and bizarre without being that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my off." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. within hail.' nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his fish-monger and a tide-waiter." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Certainly." "Was your sister dressed?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." towards the blaze. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear our word." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your this Miss Turner." I have it here in my museum." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Come in!" said he. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to occurred." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, here." "'A dozen yards or so.' down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather the loss of it. "'Then let me do so?' "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "He slept on the premises." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "It looks newer than the other things?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the bird I ate is country bred." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband said Mr. Holder. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual been." opened the door, and slipped through. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "'Where could I find him?' St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "But I am all in the dark." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "'Not at all. I only doubt--' have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "And the cigar-holder?" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have purpose equally well?" few hundred pounds.' Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down your Highness to the police-station?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a said I. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are way in." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "ARAT," I read. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from the dangers which encompass me." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "'I am sure if I had known--' "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "I never have." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Oh, fresh and glossy." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley voice, changing her seat as requested. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. there was no need for father to know." remarked. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "And what then?" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in woven round him. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid out of this horrible affair." in him." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the acted in my house last night?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." at once, for I have only half an hour." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's Project Gutenberg-tm works. fasten all the windows?" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily fishes. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not voice. feature." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "But his lameness?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there