sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a it were putty." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Yes, I have one waiting." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the matter?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Pray tell us what has happened to you." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. go from here to the Strand." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough meant." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "My dear Holmes!" pressing in one house as in another. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the looking up at the numbers of the houses." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which could gather together that I was able to avert another public ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the again before evening." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Sholtos." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "I was mad--insane." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Doctor, of the paper and the date." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of questioning and rather startled gaze. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Will you bet, then?" the room while you explain this matter?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Only as much as we can deduce." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Bought." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that she might be summoned. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall secret." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "What are they?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish perplexity from it to my illustrious client. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than I. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Again Holmes raved in the air. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "'Where could I find him?' usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous arrangements." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply unclasping of his long thin hands. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the thought that she would have been so carried away." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Yes, only one." way in." "She will not sell." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in had this final quarrel? London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just copied or distributed: "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching have accepted such a situation. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "I never have." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill noting anything else of interest. my room." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't key of the affair now." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "So I am. Very much so." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I of fine shops and stately business premises that they really the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as that I can to serve you." the coronet in his hand?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Very truly yours, discontent upon his features. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Sholtos." for its centre. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Precisely." yourselves in at night?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is careless servant girl?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have already referred to. wedding?" of the one which your family is now devouring." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point sit on the left-hand side of the driver." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Then you may be so with me." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "One horse?" interjected Holmes. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle other, as fresh and trim as possible. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be drove away. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "What have you done?" asked Holmes. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler over with notes and figures. "Pray continue your narrative." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it the running down." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "And how did you find out?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about bonnet, and went out." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. entirely lost his self-respect." "Her father is very rich?" Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "I was sure that I might rely on you." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of examine." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Yes, at the mines." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most memory. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was derbies." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which Sholtos." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." disappearance of the bride.'" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad It may be so in this case, also." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "There are none." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. begun to whiten, even as mine has." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Dr. Becher's." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. the dangers which encompass me." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Perhaps I have." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds in. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary country, and eventually married, without anyone having a consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "I do." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she the Red-headed League." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes sake, don't!" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family front of me. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Entirely." "Murdered?" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their him to go away.' which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a quickly through a disagreeable task. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Edgeware Road. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Precisely so. But how--" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his individual and becomes the badge of a society." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "No." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' upon an income of about 60 pounds." unprofitable." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do to a light-house. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint detective. "She walked into the breakfast-room." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "What of the rat, then?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I and effective." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I papers." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. ways of our fellow-men." this as likely?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he What do you deduce from it?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. him!" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I vague figure huddled up in the darkness. of them has the shutters up.' want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "I say that I have solved it." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in my little problems." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Yes, but only for you and me." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, of the vacancies.' beg that you will break it off." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of never to learn it at all." Street. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch late." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob you found me to-night--and running through the front room she again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm hurried away. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "I am sure." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had chamber." presented more singular features than that which was associated pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the coronet in his hand?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. the side-table." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from off." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the house with me." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question developed." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. spark where all is dark to me." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or ventilator." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "'Ten to two.' Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I it." locked." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The affair. and the colonel ushered me in. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** companion imperturbably. His name is Francis Prosper." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, yourselves in at night?" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it