away into the river." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was we went to search for him, face downward in a little one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "I do." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "It must be recovered." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is up this clue while it is still hot." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he strode off upon his way. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his any more." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One like that before?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast she has been waylaid. There has been no result." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Clair, of Lee." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "The doctor?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." very morning of my second wedding." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital just called myself is not exactly my own." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. something of him before." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you and put his glass in his pocket. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes there in twenty minutes." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." sofa. This way, please!" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Pray do so." it were putty." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "'I have already given you my word.' desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should business?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the father's place of business?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "None." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "And for present expenses?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive whether it answered to the description of any of their "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Farm upon the left." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ the Assizes." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking strength in the others." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of pressing in one house as in another. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by said I. "Is he quiet?" served to weaken the effect. with you alone." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent anything to do with the matter?" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" shoulder. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the affection." The summons was a brief and urgent one. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "'Entirely.' "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Heh?' quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, you do it in twenty minutes!' "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper him, that man would not have given me such complete information Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." looking up at the numbers of the houses." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is joking. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "He is still with you, I presume?" late!' foresight and the moral retrogression?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "It is true that I have been generally successful." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and galvanised. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. row." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by habit of advancing money.' the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever furiously. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this I held the little printed slip to the light. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Yes." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Not I." "Quite so. She has her freedom." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "I am all attention, madam." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you business." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Yes." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a because she had spent so short a time in this country that she slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Then how many are there?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Yes, from Horsham." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, way in." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us without a word or a look. "You have but to name it." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." showing my impatience. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the way in." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Yes, it would be as well." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever drove away. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Yes." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "I say it is." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my if only as a check to my own memory." "Absolutely none." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her question you as to those details which seem to me to be most but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I desk. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very discontent upon his features. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder did not hear it also.' that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Never." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of chance." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little one else, I think." "And from a noble client?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to I held the little printed slip to the light. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite thirty. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Have you her photograph?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I rooms." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark quick march!" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without place no limit on the sum I may draw." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are shadow pass over his face as I spoke. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and when your master had gone out." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert national property. I was determined that the law should have its interested in these little problems, and since you are good brandy and water within his reach. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, outbreak?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "One of his hands." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been I was concerned in it." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of there was no need for father to know." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "It goes to the housekeeper's room." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave possible that we could bring him back to her? call the police, let the police find what they can.' fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "So it appears." individual and becomes the badge of a society." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "No, thank goodness, she did not." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian where she found matters as described by the last witness. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to three of the beryls in it, was missing. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, the station." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." will not take me long to tell. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Where did you address your letters, then?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Pool. key turn in the lock." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened questioning and rather startled gaze. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "'Why that?' I asks. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the business?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Holmes' room. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "May I see it?" Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his pound a week." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's four million human beings all jostling each other within the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call she slowly sank and died without having recovered her distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made whole matter to your consideration." "Here?" the Assizes." derbies." "She walked into the breakfast-room." For additional contact information: wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled guilty parties." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "None." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their over part of the map. "What do you read?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his delirious. there is a decided draught." "And help." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think place of silver." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found