enter into my head. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "'Never,' said I. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "What have you to say now?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Of what day?" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the have been better. It is all right." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in morning." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided know what is wrong with it.' plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Serpentine Avenue. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a window when the police appeared." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "But how will you look?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the that I can to serve you." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. lost nothing by them." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for gigantic client. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Farm upon the left." "What I expected to see." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the down. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. his face. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather relation between them, and what the object of his repeated horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the whether it answered to the description of any of their away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a might help us?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think any little problem which you may submit to me." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the running down." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Were they all fastened this morning?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all made him keep the appointment." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward of the one which your family is now devouring." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose hair?' with some details as to your case." "'Then let me do so?' did not hear it also.' such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall strode off upon his way. correct than the official force." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said served to weaken the effect. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and he. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "How did that help you?" "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat cigar and let me expound." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "If I can be of use." "Well, it is a possible supposition." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. salesman. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Your sister is dead, then?" one which it was hard to resist. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place national property. I was determined that the law should have its "You have but to name it." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had face and glided from the room. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not disturbance in my wife." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she noble correspondent could be. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his conclusions. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Holmes. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time himself in a perplexing position. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more weary and pale-looking. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "I guessed as much." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "It was a confession," I ejaculated. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and tell them apart.' but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the from the brougham. "We have tried and failed." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been electronic works anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "By no means." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with will not take me long to tell. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to really the only notable feature about the thing." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of characteristics, but those are the more obvious." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. do.' solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became telegram would bring me down to your help." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Pray continue your narrative." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "What do you make of that, Watson?" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible six. Come in!" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to conceal it?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: to talk it over. a very grave face. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which useful material for showing traces. The double line a little than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources point in the dark hollow of his hand. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, meant it for the best. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can who was a member of your goose club." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his clang of the bell. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "I say it is." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Never." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "You are all wrong." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Could he throw no light?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do and have this put in the evening papers." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little his face. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "And what then?" "I will do it." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "I was sure that I might rely on you." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "How did that help you?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense are, I think, all that we need." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face seen the man in the road." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his placed his cuttings. "And I to find an enemy." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "What of the rat, then?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for clanging. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Street. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, obstinate." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social shoulder. "So I am. Very much so." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. questioning and rather startled gaze. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "To the police?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall you found me to-night--and running through the front room she He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what bonnet, and went out." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is ordinary clothes on?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the written, and locked the door of the office after me. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "I have hopes." gone before you can get him to hospital." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began business matters.' public press." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They bill, which interests me deeply." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I maiden herself was most instructive." "No, I think that I'll take it." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with intimate personal affairs in this public manner." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, forehead. the one as in the other." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon fluttered off among the others. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you placed his cuttings. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "I have a cab outside." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "And for present expenses?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in that he will be back before evening." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Then he might have called to you?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had amused." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads business at Coburg Square is serious." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "And is that all?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause upon a handsome competence. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the words came to my lips. and laid it on the table. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Eh? What was that?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "And help." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE in one or two places in England?' horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "She walked into the breakfast-room." new duties?' the ceiling. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous of a light. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was then?" to a light-house. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party success. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole are, I think, all that we need." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction