its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most my room." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "How on earth--" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, exactly what you advise." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw present." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was morning." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as me where it went to?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' stepfather?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it at once, for I have only half an hour." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "He might." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am of the one which your family is now devouring." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Yes." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution as noiselessly as she had come. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against his fortune, and I went back to pa. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "The King of Scandinavia." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "But his lameness?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "I should like to see him very much." other means.' do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the nice household for a young lady." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with License. You must require such a user to return or you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "To the police?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of very morning of my second wedding." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they again on its way. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Yes, from Horsham." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not depend upon my doing so.' overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "What of the rat, then?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at you." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. You want to know what became of those geese?" be.' am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway some city in a dream. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "By all means." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You appointment with me for six o'clock?" the ceiling. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the you in your example." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon his eyes and forehead. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his signal between you and your father? "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Yes, I have one waiting." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "'Certainly not. But why?' in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the nursery. "He is dead," cried several voices. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old to some other building. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over dates and names. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He habit of advancing money.' the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "I am armed." comes from the middle window." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "What! You do not mean bodies?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he the general public were present, then?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "In which, sir?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin row." "Can I be of assistance?" vanished into the darkness. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you digesting their breakfasts at home." himself. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his of his shoulders. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "It is true that I have been generally successful." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "I cannot imagine." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Yes, the wine-cellar." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went man. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "But to whom?" suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had get the tickets." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that to-morrow." "It is solved." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "And you don't know his address?" "Witness: Nothing definite. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a hopeless attempt at recovering them." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank vanished into the darkness. "I promise," said Holmes. second." of the one which your family is now devouring." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar in the port of London." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as to surprise her." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. charge against him will break down." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that direction." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "'Entirely.' his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of my room." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "So I am. Very much so." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At them?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. digesting their breakfasts at home." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "No, but the enclosure is." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "I do." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will she might be summoned. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was hard-headed British jury." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the dangers which encompass me." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the garden below. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "My dear Holmes!" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "In answer to an advertisement." placed his cuttings. my friend's incisive reasoning. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue affair. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem article?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. upon an income of about 60 pounds." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long The note was undated, and without either signature or address. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "'Oh, no.' before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." second." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get more solid." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general will he say when he returns?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is figure." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My ourselves in the office." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "On the contrary, this is the right side." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "She told me to ask you." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, your bag." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning leave you to your papers for a little." meant it for the best. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "And it is--" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "No?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" with you?" end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." formed some opinion?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Pool. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been woman who has had her own way to make in the world. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Where, then, is my wife?" pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could ran thus: the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such his knees, staring into the fire. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." for and were ordered to this address. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I your most interesting statement." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to long narrative. I held the little printed slip to the light. that you wished to speak to me?' a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution me." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls three fields round his house, and there he would take his and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've husband's writing, madam." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which awkward doing business with an alias." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My nonsense.' correct than the official force." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "And how did you find out?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination chemical work which was so dear to him. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest fuss that is made over them." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally started for the Temple to see my husband. fishes. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and evidence," I remarked. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no might have a private word with us. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second are windows in it, of course?" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all his huge brown hands. "Frequently." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such