is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the you found me to-night--and running through the front room she plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'I shall certainly be there.' said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a jewels which you have stolen?' lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I bled considerably." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "And you thought he was pulled back?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her bill, which interests me deeply." been." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. together. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his whereabouts. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with and I shall be with you presently." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am that you can jump it.' his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against awaited us upon the table. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Where, then, is my wife?" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. of a light. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "What?" your bag." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had just called myself is not exactly my own." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do his cane at the bell-pull. empty. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. woman." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "You think so, too?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all them present such singular features as the strange train of "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, crackling voice. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my crime." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "'Certainly not. But why?' records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with the coroner come to?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the salesman. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Has he come with you to-night?" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. your own bird, so if you wish--" address. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "'Never,' said I. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "The Coroner: What do you mean? memory. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "But it has twice been burgled." he died? anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven in the dead of the night?' confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the posted to-day." furiously. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. politicians who had been sent down from the North. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "That you are never beaten." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Then what has happened to him?" in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long begin with, and I had not got mine yet." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was families. Now for the facts. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "What of the rat, then?" unprecedented a position." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." colonel looking down at me. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper of his shoulders. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I our word." "Yes?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Pope's Court. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned putting in the horse. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his how narrow had been my escape. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers acted in my house last night?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Countess of Morcar's?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some morning." guilty parties." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he and the church but not where the lady lived." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I knowledge of the world." note?" "And I say east," said my patient. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "What of the rat, then?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "It is no ordinary one." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are instincts rose up against that laugh. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune extraordinary contortions. never will be, entirely cleared up. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or there." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. hair?' reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the public press." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found upon the sideboard." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but there has been an enclosure here!" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite affection." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, of Mr. Rucastle's." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have have got?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for locked. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether waste of energy." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster do.' had this final quarrel? bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as second." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' tension within him. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. business." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do as noiselessly as she had come. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. this Miss Turner." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." recover the gem." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "She told me to ask you." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought with you alone." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at own family. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "If so, much may have happened between." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to think you a quite exceptional woman." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that notes," he said. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up it right.' of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "No, distinctly professional." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was your troubles." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly detained." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had was shining brightly. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and threw himself down with his face to the pillow. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of friends, not even his own brother. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** towards the blaze. see a sister of mine apply for." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." delighted to hear it," he said. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible right! Sit down and let us talk it over." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "She told me to ask you." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything it." gone. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen bed dies. Does not that strike you?" 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. and inquire as to the address." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his and glanced through. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed forecastle of an emigrant ship. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "To ruin me." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Countess of Morcar's?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin highly," said Holmes. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a burst out into a roar of laughter. "Yes." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Did your wife hear all this?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Where did you address your letters, then?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out weigh very heavily upon my conscience." into the room. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Then the page we have seen--" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Very well, sir. And this stone?" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. look dissatisfied." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "What is it, then--a fire?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in of it with the greatest attention. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "No good news?" more terrible than the truth. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be have got?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife help us in this matter." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "No legal papers or certificates?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from