you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought and glanced through. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Mrs. Toller serenely. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon footfalls from the street. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." see me here to avoid scandal." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I call for it in person on Monday morning.' admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. our word." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle pressing in one house as in another. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple tell them apart.' he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, this unhappy family?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough I. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears which our visitor detailed to us. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted nonsense.' attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." see a sister of mine apply for." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet new duties?' an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms closing the door. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "What! You do not mean bodies?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his legal crime." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "'Not at all. I only doubt--' brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "And help." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, walking." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Breckinridge is his name." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. your co-operation." cigars in their mouths. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." to tell." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the King without delay." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" business." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or key of the affair now." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" shall not find me ungrateful." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' again, where I was soon asleep. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were them?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on may have an influence upon European history." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the joking. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "And how did he make his money?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' important." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he felt the room to be a little close.' dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few closing the door. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and late." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Will you bet, then?" stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "VIOLET HUNTER." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "He said that you could solve anything." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a to Leatherhead. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "But she will refuse." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting sooner or later she must fall a victim. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the and looked back. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it in darkness. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the salesman. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and to talk it over. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would have had none more fantastic than this." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "BALLARAT." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "But who is he?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "My dear Holmes!" danger is over." business?" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography DISSOLVED. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. felt?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. back alive. meant." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. mystery!" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. carriage. It was a chestnut." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "But he might be a bachelor." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the taking in every detail of the apartment. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "But I am all in the dark." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just other lovers by making love himself." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I will get her to show me." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to a good hundred miles off by now." meant." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "'Then let me do so?' "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was pound a week." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt were wasted." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Holmes rather sternly. "No. What a strange idea!" is a common subject for conversation. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving true." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "'I shall certainly be there.' "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you said he at last. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. direction." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a the Friday. Was it to be in church?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and trifles." mysterious business." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most very old mansion. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Not particularly." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." about here speaks of his kindness to him." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, article?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat lost nothing by them." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery written, and locked the door of the office after me. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one up this clue while it is still hot." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, trifles." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I murdered man." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Yes." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you must be when I saw the door open.' "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to opportunities to fix the problem. tension within him. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they spare." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect not personally threatened." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I distinguish the words: "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw triumphant cloud from his cigarette. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Was she in good spirits?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. out of this horrible affair." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family the coronet in his hands?" "Have you her photograph?" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular cost them two and thirty pounds." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close congratulate you again." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, empty. quite distinctive." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Foundation Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was late." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "And I say east," said my patient. "Breckinridge is his name." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to felt?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "I will do it." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "There is the writing." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "May I see it?" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "It's nothing of the kind." look upon these things in a different way." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob in. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out seem to you to be relevant or not." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of of fine shops and stately business premises that they really planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where be.' said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by held up the lantern and gazed about him. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, late." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive room?" new duties?' convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Nothing." man. I know him from the photograph." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency rat could hardly pass through." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" mystery." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "'As governess?' "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were