room had already been engaged for us. politicians who had been sent down from the North. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its cost them two and thirty pounds." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "The landlord of the Alpha." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the emerged. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the bare slabs of marble. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! present." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "'Then let me do so?' remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Not yet." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Yes, sir." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after or other trace. But how on earth--" yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Who by?" into the bag, and made for the door. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, death." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep these bleak autumnal evenings." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the to you." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Where, then, is my wife?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when in this way: "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know My friend smiled. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me then?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon during that time.' that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "You'll never persuade me to believe that." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I bachelor.' charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, knowledge of the world." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst union?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." than was visible to me." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears whatever might befall. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I the room while you explain this matter?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous felt?" surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Yes." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was clanging. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "That also I could fathom." straightened it out again. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the are, and they are waiting for us." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" villagers almost as much as their master. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have disappearance of these gems?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "That is unusual in a young girl." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Here?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was brandy and water within his reach. "Proceed, then." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark handed it to him. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "I see many objections to any such theory." was a lad." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'Ten to two.' all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Yes." "This concluded the examination of the witness." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of drawing your inferences." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the running down." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of head. So long, then!" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "What are they?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Pope's Court. "Yes." "What then?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "No." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "We must have a cab." "'Which dealer's?' "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the thought that she would have been so carried away." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, envelope. for and were ordered to this address. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my this as likely?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." himself to tell his story. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we suggested at once that there must be a communication between the bare slabs of marble. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed little trying to do so much typewriting?" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "I assure you that I am in your hands." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements strong reason behind." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Who by?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so have an American origin." upon the white wrist. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as I think that I could be of assistance to you." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, to a more successful conclusion." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "None." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Have you good authority for what you say?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which think that any burglar could have done. "Oh, fresh and glossy." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "No?" coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." jewels which you have stolen?' as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young felt?" guilty one." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and head. So long, then!" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "'Most admirably.' With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most later, upon the night of May 2nd." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would remarked. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Very much so." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to felt?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Holmes rather sternly. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very see a sister of mine apply for." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it shall not find me ungrateful." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." empty. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain few hundred pounds.' of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were people in all walks of life. interested in these little problems, and since you are good may never be exposed to such a temptation." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be true." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "I fear not." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. particular state visit http://pglaf.org may have an influence upon European history." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well beg that you will break it off." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a that you can jump it.' Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "I will not look." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland approach us with offers to donate. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. sake, don't!" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Young McCarthy must be got off, however." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "But of what society?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he discontent upon his features. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not ordinary clothes on?" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to indiscretion." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better thirty. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you mystery." asked. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the was keenly on my guard against him. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "You don't mind breaking the law?" meanly of me." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the about here speaks of his kindness to him." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove late." "'Where could I find him?' "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first some city in a dream. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two woven round him. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. you do it in twenty minutes!' his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "My opinion is in no way altered." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Eyford." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You generous with you in money matters.' light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open brain must have something in it." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as unkempt, staring out at me. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed up this clue while it is still hot." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "If so, much may have happened between." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "What do you mean?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the warnings." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "But how did you gain them?" me where it went to?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Ample." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very them present such singular features as the strange train of had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general washing it down with a long draught of water. her also." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" was a perfect sample of the class. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me.