up this clue while it is still hot." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "'In my own bureau.' Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. acted in my house last night?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "'There is a drive, then?' light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "'I have already given you my word.' trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father colour had been driven from his face. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "One horse?" interjected Holmes. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining searched, without anything being found which could incriminate I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Your French gold?" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at tied." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Yes." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Come in!" said Holmes. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. letters?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my tell them apart.' the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "No more words. Get out!" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared business." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Very truly yours, from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. followed. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in all?" "Yesterday." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square DAMAGE. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the roused himself from his reverie. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "What do you mean?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in dates and names. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. indeed which he could not unravel. in my life." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger amused." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Why? What do you mean?" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to weapon." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal said Mr. Holder. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "'It is locked up,' I answered. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." constraint." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Did you observe the colour?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right the so-precious time, but come!' and a shock of very red hair. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the washing it down with a long draught of water. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "I have a cab outside." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant subject to the trademark license, especially commercial set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and been able to understand it, in a very few words. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. once more to my work. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our a good hundred miles off by now." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a in a very precise fashion." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Who by?" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be conduct the inquiry." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as shadow pass over his face as I spoke. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Sutherland. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "The doctor?" strength." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. putting in the horse. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in was keenly on my guard against him. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he light and attacked it." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the once more to my work. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "No, distinctly professional." "Was there a secret marriage?" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of disturbance in my wife." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in observed. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "No good news?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could with frightened eyes at his accuser. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, existence." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry hard-headed British jury." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. strode off upon his way. to take care of herself." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon his face which made him a very different person to the round, any." "Then what has happened to him?" digesting their breakfasts at home." Pope's Court. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. hardly wander." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I you for a few hours?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he make me his representative both with the servants and with the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to to tell." to his chemical studies. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your heavy and sharp instrument." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "My dear Holmes!" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety obstinate." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, province." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "That is possible." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "'No, I know no one in these parts.' wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found something of him before." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of were wasted." hereditary King of Bohemia." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was head. So long, then!" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "And the murderer?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had was a loud and authoritative tap. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a lost his Christmas dinner." are, I think, all that we need." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would I nodded again. nonsense.' Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Yes, only one." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to rooms." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to habit of advancing money.' ran thus: if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a breakfast." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if during the last few years, and there are many noble families to posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there redistribution. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I to arrive at through this?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the some city in a dream. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have key turn in the lock." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." room?" "Certainly, madam." "Never." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Very much so." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "None." will he say when he returns?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of humiliation." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "'What are you doing there?' he asked. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Quite so." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, that you can jump it.' round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Murdered?" thirty. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he served to weaken the effect. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who which our visitor detailed to us. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "But his left-handedness." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the inner apartment." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce a monotonous occupation." "But how will you look?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." lumber-room." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both chambers. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. John Swain, of St. Augustine. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away round with crates and massive boxes. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, seen the man in the road." salesman. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Yes, all." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "And why?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief mystery may be cleared along those lines." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Stolen."