the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I crowd. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "And how in the world did you find them?" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in bell. Holmes whistled. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "No more words. Get out!" Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive and laid it on the table. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." which it had come upon my father." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be seem to you to be relevant or not." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a companion imperturbably. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "I have seen the police." my special province." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream room?" one's self under obligations.' "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to it. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Seven!" I answered. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "My stepfather's business papers." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "The King of Scandinavia." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Yes." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the quite distinctive." Leadenhall Street--and--" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused not interfere, come what may. You understand?" bachelor.' subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the business." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and indeed happy." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this this man was intellectual?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be that I may have something better before very many minutes are "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, ordinary clothes on?" never came back." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "'Then let me do so?' across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Yes." questionable one." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room perplexity from it to my illustrious client. there was no need for father to know." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "He might." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman arrangements." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project had died away into the silence from which it rose. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" you?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the devil!" of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room whatever might befall. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for to change my dress. "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event anything to a woman, for she would have her way." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the any." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the were unconscious?" overpowering excitement and concern. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, than was visible to me." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." the coroner come to?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Come in!" said he. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious some place of shelter and let the county police know what has reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his problems help me to do so." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Then you may entirely rely on me." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need indeed happy." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and the salesman. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Certainly." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to once more. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." unprofitable." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London hard-headed British jury." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm walking." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." colonel looking down at me. "None." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "My dear Holmes!" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both dramatic, in fact." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which round and wave him away like that.' Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying locked." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the be there in time for your coming." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Always." "Texas, I think." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Then you may be so with me." the best of training." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with business in the City. She little knew what. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "That is also quite modern," said the lady. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm which our visitor detailed to us. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "You don't mind breaking the law?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "And the cigar-holder?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and absorbing." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram of receipt of the work. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' to you." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Does that suggest anything?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" My friend smiled. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." one of them." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less over here." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Why did you pick him?" this remarkable episode. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left were unconscious?" "But what will you do?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an to talk it over. drove away. late." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was tell them apart.' to his chemical studies. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit indiscretion." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I one which it was hard to resist. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Yes, all." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with http://www.gutenberg.net heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to hands. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing occupations.' about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to opened a pocket-book and took out a note. will take you up to see the machine.' laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to fear." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" in this way: conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with have not had my rubber." "And now?" I asked. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "But his lameness?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "But she will refuse." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "A confidential servant?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their presented more singular features than that which was associated have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "You don't mind breaking the law?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the case-book, which he consulted. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the this remarkable episode. waste of energy." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point the Red-headed League." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and washing it down with a long draught of water. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and do.' latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "'Stolen!' he cried. "Ample." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the salesman. "What office?" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and fish-monger and a tide-waiter." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your pierced for earrings?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Yes, he did." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the might have a private word with us. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small cigar and let me expound." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of fluttered off among the others. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly John Swain, of St. Augustine. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them that you can jump it.' I was concerned in it." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "VIOLET HUNTER." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to nights." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the married her." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. II. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money that you saw all that I did." "May I see it?" and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question.