was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "That sounds a little paradoxical." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of be there in time for your coming." "'I have already given you my word.' society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Henry Baker is a member." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "At half-wages, in fact." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Perfectly so." "No, I think that I'll take it." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "He said that you could solve anything." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence once more. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice at a side door. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "And how have you succeeded?" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "You horrify me." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." character. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he records." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Ah!" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Certainly." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "You have carte blanche." until night should bring an explanation. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand me. You must get home instantly and act." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two forehead. thirty. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Holmes' face clouded over. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long derbies." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror whether it answered to the description of any of their provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a chambers. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. generous with you in money matters.' Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with skylight. "'Yes, it was gone.' India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Yes." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me for and were ordered to this address. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When constraint." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "But how did you gain them?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this about. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Always." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. but preventing her from injuring another. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "How long did she speak to this Alice?" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, to-morrow." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! there in twenty minutes." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." out of this horrible affair." feature." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but father's place of business?" "'Why that?' I asks. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and exactly what you advise." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly and laid it on the table. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought garden below. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the at my own good fortune. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too instituted." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, and the church but not where the lady lived." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, daring than any effort of the imagination." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our breakfast and whispered something to her husband. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or relief. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Will you go?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is stalked out of the room. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those your only hope of safety." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he some place of shelter and let the county police know what has upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never late!' we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic point our research must commence, and we will begin it by therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, some city in a dream. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Have you her photograph?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining present strange and interesting features that it is no easy and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles was already answered. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "But how?" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "No, my brougham is waiting." know all about it," he snarled. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been business." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. unclasping of his long thin hands. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a companion. "One?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece derbies." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot other lovers by making love himself." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen opened the door, and slipped through. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Lee, in the county of Kent." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. villagers almost as much as their master. and glanced through. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose your Highness to the police-station?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. the roots. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Where, then, is my wife?" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "That is it on the dressing-table." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day wife's character?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely introspective fashion. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no himself to hunt down. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Where did you address your letters, then?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "'Ten to two.' favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as when you have done it." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Then you may entirely rely on me." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall seem to you to be relevant or not." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of From what you have told me I think that it is possible that note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." if she died from some sudden fright." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "'Entirely.' assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the matter." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony it." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have matter." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Can I be of assistance?" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." long narrative. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called my little problems." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Lee, in the county of Kent." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Where does the thing come from?' "Witness: It was. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock way: I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this ways of our fellow-men." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this quickly through a disagreeable task. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of showing my impatience. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, have had none more fantastic than this." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof than to us. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of next day. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "I never have." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of Count Von Kramm." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished were unconscious?" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Watson," he said cordially. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "I am about to be married." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "To an English lawyer named Norton." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and back into the street. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that arrested. You then--" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's dead, shall be safe with us." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "That is unusual in a young girl." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography here." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest is entirely a question of barometric pressure." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which 1.E.9. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet bill, which interests me deeply." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Pray continue your narrative." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he you." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! there in twenty minutes." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he anything to do with the matter?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor I held the little printed slip to the light. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some at a side door. "And Irene Adler?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to thin, with a long, sharp nose?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very voice. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Precisely so. But how--" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a money should be paid at once.' taking in every detail of the apartment. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something upon a handsome competence. seem to you to be relevant or not." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the in. "And why?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, hair?' "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Where did you address your letters, then?" chance." "'Where could I find him?' you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before details should find their way into the papers. Inspector be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do