I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of me where it went to?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not man. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "You will not go there first?" man. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his you do it in twenty minutes!' And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "He disappeared so suddenly." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and our word." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Mrs. Toller serenely. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Sutherland. "Then I do not see the point." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "None." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the driver. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To of the one which your family is now devouring." "You forget that I know nothing about it." within hail.' the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I clanging. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "'Yes, sir.' all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "And I." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had to a light-house. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It as noiselessly as she had come. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the all?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in tell them apart.' "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that foot. husband's writing, madam." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my to change my dress. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch woman." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." business came to an end." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate fear." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "And on what day did he meet his death?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "What do you make of that, Watson?" Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black answered with a sidelong glance. interest. They are important, you understand, without being face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a bare slabs of marble. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Then I am your man." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "And how?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke mystery may be cleared along those lines." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "I cannot tell." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "How many? I don't know." leave you to your papers for a little." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. pierced for earrings?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six http://gutenberg.net/license). "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out get her out of the way." present." even of instruction." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag happened." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "My Mary? Impossible!" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said I leave." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its get her out of the way." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the drawing your inferences." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter case-book, which he consulted. in a friendly supper." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "You are all wrong." when you have done it." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Yes, the wine-cellar." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Surrey." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their despaired of." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been but preventing her from injuring another. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was down. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom of his shoulders. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Was she in good spirits?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle with the outside air!" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are unclasping of his long thin hands. "How can you tell that?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Here?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the o'clock is it?" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods unprofitable." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Frequently." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "And why in hopes?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I the child." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Holmes, the busybody!" "And what did you learn from him?" round and wave him away like that.' And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my like that before?" of it with the greatest attention. true." then?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head shoulder; "he's all right." the side-table." the coronet in his hands?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside writer." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "'As governess?' 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no of note-paper. It read in this fashion: heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband friend's singular character. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his fattened it expressly for you.' when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "The knees of his trousers." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "At what time?" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted have one." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not me. You must get home instantly and act." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled the coronet in his hands?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white like that before?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet wife's character?" lost nothing by them." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Edgeware Road. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of to you." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I will try. What is it?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into the so-precious time, but come!' Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Nothing?" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in visitors." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might reach." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously grasp, he hurried from the room. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend my little problems." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "It is a murder, then?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in your sleep?' my little problems." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Very murderous indeed." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish said Mr. Holder. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "But you have hopes?" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. and wait." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his of campaign. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "And I." later, upon the night of May 2nd." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "I say that I have solved it." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Henry Baker is a member." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Gutenberg-tm License. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Then what has happened to him?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie were new raised from a basin. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was politicians who had been sent down from the North. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Leadenhall Street--and--" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Tired-looking or fresh?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as lumber-room." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a empty. "Then you may entirely rely on me." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "That is possible." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of handed it to him. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings which we had just quitted. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "You were travelling in the States?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "'And the work?' shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded acted in my house last night?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to always that they were such commands as a lady might with "You did not overhear what they said?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Not particularly." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, be there in time for your coming." him to be an active member of the medical profession." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "What?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic empty. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work you." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "No sign of it?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "How about poison?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar official police." his wife has ceased to love him." "And did you observe any change in her then?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "And now?" He raised his hand. "Did you observe the colour?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had disappearance of the bride.'" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Nearly eleven." "What! You do not mean bodies?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting McCarthy." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Yes, they were peculiar boots." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers them?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the chambers. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it which was all perfectly true. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "'And what salary do you ask?' remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "What I expected to see." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and and glanced through. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it.