"When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "At the wedding breakfast." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Pray be precise as to details," said he. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had chair. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "And how?" said I. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the outsides of the windows. in this note: change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Why, what do you mean?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid bonnet, and went out." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "But she could not love him." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "I have hopes." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "He slept on the premises." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "On your arm?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, newspaper selections." in my life." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over presented which may be striking and bizarre without being not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." way in." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Cross for the Continent." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but down. "And sit in the dark?" you, my dear young lady?' incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of answered with a sidelong glance. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what considering the formidable letters which were received by himself January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the cigars in the box." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after mysterious end." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "I do." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "What have you done?" asked Holmes. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Where to?" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Whose house is it?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "You were travelling in the States?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? father's young wife. as he folded up the epistle. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." lost nothing by them." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has is a common subject for conversation. "Then you may entirely rely on me." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a bell. Holmes whistled. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he again before evening." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "'About the same.' have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds unprofitable." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "What do you mean?" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity thought that she would have been so carried away." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "No?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Why serious?" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "It is very clear." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which plantation.' "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I think, you have already met." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "It is possible." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for deduce something from that?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should coat-tails." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "But he might be a bachelor." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "But we can't all be." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' thought that she would have been so carried away." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "That also I could fathom." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak felt the room to be a little close.' when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "I should be immensely obliged to you." "It surprised me." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the in the dead of the night?' "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "And Irene Adler?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom charged with?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its at once, for I have only half an hour." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "My private note-paper." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "10th. John Swain cleared. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "'There is a drive, then?' tell them apart.' he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "It is a murder, then?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect business?" never came back." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until that before taking the final step I should like to submit the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any shaken than I had ever seen him. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "The murder was done with it." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "About a month then." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Precisely." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "No?" amused." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was yourselves in at night?" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work I held the little printed slip to the light. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And coroner's jury." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and formed some opinion?" and a shock of very red hair. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by impression behind it as though a window had gently closed considering the formidable letters which were received by himself and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some it? Did I buy the geese off you?" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old conduct the inquiry." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Yes." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can and looked back. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "An accident, I presume?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, the matter." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'As governess?' have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me completely overtopped every other consideration that we both no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of the tragedy. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." that he has suffered." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. politicians who had been sent down from the North. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." any." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Yes, he did." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." that you wished to speak to me?' of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and to-morrow." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two useful material for showing traces. The double line a little determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is threw himself down with his face to the pillow. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him good for you to do.' every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And bearing upon the case." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of I nodded again. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. kindly on the shoulder. back to my heart. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Stolen." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a up this clue while it is still hot." "'A dozen yards or so.' long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre http://gutenberg.net/license). her also." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Look there!" said he. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear flock.' to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "How did he come?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest all that?" "Yes. He waved his hands." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "None." disappearance of the bride.'" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, get her out of the way." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "'Is 4 pounds a week.' so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." main points of my analysis." garden below. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler http://gutenberg.net/license). "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Pray let us have it, for all that." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "The doctor?" grasp, he hurried from the room. colonel looking down at me. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" one of them." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until upon the shelf for the interim." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you For additional contact information: turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they said he. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Very. But will he see it?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked even of instruction." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine."