bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Young McCarthy must be got off, however." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "My own seal." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his province." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "The doctor?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant posted to-day." manager. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Will you bet, then?" room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, locked." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and directly by questioning you." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Well, but China?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what round with crates and massive boxes. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had open." any little problem which you may submit to me." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Arthur Conan Doyle reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Well, some hundreds of times." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "No. What a strange idea!" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this fish-monger and a tide-waiter." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his singular points about the case. What did the police think of the The events in question occurred in the early days of my tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Holmes' thin, eager face. forebodings. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, helping a boy to put up the shutters. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "'How far from the body?' look upon these things in a different way." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you in one or two places in England?' in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the for its centre. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, back into the street. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a and no precautions can guard against." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy wife's character?" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, remarked. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. are windows in it, of course?" father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather had picked up in the wood. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "And is that all?" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were you for a few hours?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" official police." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can distinguish the words: He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "How did he come?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "'You cannot say what it was?' Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the I leave." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to you came in." do.' ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the so-precious time, but come!' photograph a cabinet?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to I shall continue with my miserable story. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the had this final quarrel? shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom held up the lantern and gazed about him. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was friend's singular character. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "How many? I don't know." night.' said he. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and to miss it." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "We were both in the photograph." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "'Certainly not. But why?' gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "You horrify me." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "The Coroner: What do you mean? "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips said I. discontent upon his features. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps said I. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "But not more so than I to find you." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then him to go away.' electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance your troubles." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered on re-entering her father's house?" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all your own bird, so if you wish--" politicians who had been sent down from the North. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door address. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he License. You must require such a user to return or Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "My last client of the sort was a king." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of I. detained." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked note?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At I shall continue with my miserable story. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "It must be recovered." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the What do you deduce from it?" up this clue while it is still hot." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it that you saw all that I did." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" any more." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "I will get her to show me." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Ten will be early enough." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as and glanced through. "Yes." "I shall most certainly do so." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed there was no need for father to know." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Yes, it was twisted." "Was she in good spirits?" the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Was your sister dressed?" conclusions. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'And the work?' concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "'Which dealer's?' "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your companion. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "'I am sure if I had known--' foresight and the moral retrogression?" you." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, particular state visit http://pglaf.org rat could hardly pass through." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow putting in the horse. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "She told me to ask you." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, vault. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and at home. "Of what day?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is forecastle of an emigrant ship. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own families. Now for the facts. III. relief. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Ha! you find it so?" discontent upon his features. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "'Certainly,' I answered. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and province." asked. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come arrested. You then--" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "The vanishing of the lady." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "It may not come to that," said Holmes. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence his eyes and forehead. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot be. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that should be taken.' and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of