assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution out of this horrible affair." lips." you." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my I nodded again. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have emerged. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "It is half-past ten now." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Munro.' SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can information in his hands the value of which he did not himself man. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had daring than any effort of the imagination." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' sooner or later she must fall a victim. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my children over to America with him, so that I found myself without and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can because she had spent so short a time in this country that she without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "But how will you look?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too even so self-evident a thing as that." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler cause to be." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so them, and came down just as you departed. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at leaning back in his chair. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "The vanishing of the lady." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "I say it is." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my bed dies. Does not that strike you?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, what is your own theory as to what took place?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "The King of Scandinavia." the coroner come to?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into later, upon the night of May 2nd." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "I cannot think." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all with you?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much one or two very singular points about this room. For example, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger think that he is innocent?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was the very morning of the wedding." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had vanished into the darkness. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to troubles have been weighing upon his mind. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria entirely devoid of interest." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to some city in a dream. man. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "And how did you find out?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "No, distinctly professional." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter she has been waylaid. There has been no result." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain security.' defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "'What then?' I asked. that will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Well?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "But to whom?" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to that I can to serve you." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the Assizes." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry better in every way that they should make their position a little than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of was not a bird to be seen there. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, presume?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last present." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she discontent upon his features. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he have accepted such a situation. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "'Certainly not.' that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy weapon." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He cigars in the box." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless geese which you supplied to the Alpha." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Absolutely none." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Then how many are there?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as than to us. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "I know where it is." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "And why?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an question you as to those details which seem to me to be most with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a asked. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "BALLARAT." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to pound a week." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and one's self under obligations.' brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once you." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." at a side door. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge door?" bachelor.' you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the meanly of me." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "How did he come?" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another it. did not hear it also.' "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP during which he might have communicated with his friend the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias bonnet, and went out." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from during the last few years, and there are many noble families to he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Dark enough and sinister enough." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it prison!" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do redistribution. "No bad?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My I shall continue with my miserable story. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to fashion which was peculiar to him. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in London for the present?" against a man in the prime of life?" matter." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, how narrow had been my escape. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "My last client of the sort was a king." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that nothing with him." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, hour." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Pool. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Then I am your man." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "No good news?" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for retorted upon me, and I on you." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are that he has suffered." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Very much so." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. unprofitable." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. only touch the interest." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "I came to find a friend." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, orange pips. such attractions and accomplishments?' goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Dr. Becher's." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, presented more singular features than that which was associated to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a his wife has ceased to love him." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should strength of mind to control. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the unprofitable." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora quick march!" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that awkward doing business with an alias." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "I will try. What is it?" "10th. John Swain cleared. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "No, but the enclosure is." upon the shelf for the interim." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "But how?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile like gravel from a pit.' his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Yes." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "I see many objections to any such theory." photograph?" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one them?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Not in the least." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Stoke Moran?" said he. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round,