attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "You horrify me." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I guilty parties." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she nice household for a young lady." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a over with notes and figures. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "This photograph!" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "'Yes, sir.' "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" served to weaken the effect. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "One?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow this Miss Turner." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "It is to him that this trophy belongs." tell me that you intended to go into harness." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Then you may be so with me." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the little opening for the ventilator is." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough during which he might have communicated with his friend the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Witness: It was. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "I am following you closely," I answered. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his me what he had done with the three missing stones. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very carriage. It was a chestnut." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, indiscretion." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with least a fellow-countryman. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known very peculiar words of the dying woman?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are stammered. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid outsides of the windows. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "'You cannot say what it was?' step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "The landlord of the Alpha." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "And why?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of criminal. We have already had experience of such." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment room had already been engaged for us. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little least a fellow-countryman. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "And you thought he was pulled back?" minor matters until to-morrow." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Why serious?" "Then, as to money?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your him to be an active member of the medical profession." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small for and were ordered to this address. "I promise," said Holmes. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin you." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly God! What an exposure! What can I do?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an examine." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "To ruin me." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his locked." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "A call for help, you thought?" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "By all means." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "And help." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had sit on the left-hand side of the driver." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'I shall certainly be there.' held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker to miss it." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes there." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation locked." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. are windows in it, of course?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "No more words. Get out!" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. breakfast." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Nothing." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a that you wished to speak to me?' minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Stolen, then." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his III. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies begun to whiten, even as mine has." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "He is still with you, I presume?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "So I heard. You have him here?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "The knees of his trousers." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Well, but China?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "But the mystery?" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well who was a member of your goose club." time." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was time." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. intrusion of other matters." was lame." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among society." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on eat it." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "She will not sell." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm at my remark. coroner's jury." at my remark. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" companion. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are shoulder. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled dear old homesteads?" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a sparkled upon his finger. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my him nearly every evening." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique roused himself from his reverie. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out goes." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "And it is--" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Not I." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. whatever might befall. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." interested in these little problems, and since you are good akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' success. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used to talk it over. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "'What, the red-headed man?' places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white detective. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "What is it?" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a yards of it?' devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the to affect your life." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Lee, in the county of Kent." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "No." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is meanly of me." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Very much so." "'What do you call purely nominal?' his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the will be renamed. "Precisely." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the not personally threatened." III. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white useful material for showing traces. The double line a little unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be during the last few years, and there are many noble families to finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two formed some opinion?" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended skylight. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no emerged. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we which are rolled in Rotterdam." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. the general public were present, then?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little as noiselessly as she had come. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was your equipment. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, I have it here in my museum." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My prepare for the new role I have to play." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?'