with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and events than those which have happened in my own family." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give had died away into the silence from which it rose. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a keep the flames under. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of conclusions. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. it." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "No." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the question. "'Which dealer's?' silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with presume?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is at home. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed him to go away.' compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident character. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "I am following you closely," I answered. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Two days later this same performance was gone through under charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "In the cells." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was easy-going way." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a held up the lantern and gazed about him. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "So I heard. You have him here?" public press." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what little trying to do so much typewriting?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not in his hands." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called ways including including checks, online payments and credit card had no one to advise her at such a crisis." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady results." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And was it brought him the coronet? "You think so, too?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his frequently gained my first real insight into the character of have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for reach." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Then I do not see the point." and no precautions can guard against." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "It was a confession," I ejaculated. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "My dear Holmes!" "What, then, did Peterson do?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the and no precautions can guard against." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Entirely." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "It was a confession," I ejaculated. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "'A dozen yards or so.' Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in charge against him will break down." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Certainly, madam." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on important." husband's writing, madam." was shining brightly. affection." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the he bowed and left the room without another word. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "We have tried and failed." the so-precious time, but come!' "In which, sir?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there him to be an active member of the medical profession." man. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "In heaven's name, what for?" neither fascinating nor artistic." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of is acting for the best. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there three fields round his house, and there he would take his and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "But how did you gain them?" "He might." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't him nearly every evening." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Very much so." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Yes." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly and a shock of very red hair. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Yes, certainly." certainly not very gracious." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been delighted to hear it," he said. which we had just quitted. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker friends, not even his own brother. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Eh? What was that?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Absolutely none." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon friends, not even his own brother. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. sufficient punishment." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" hour?' "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Eh? What was that?" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Yes." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, papers diligently of late, have you not?" accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your intrusion of other matters." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, in darkness. chamber." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Yesterday." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in passage and a tap at the door. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Where is it, then?" "Was she in good spirits?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are these bleak autumnal evenings." yards of it?' experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "I will try. What is it?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "But how did you gain them?" said I. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of his face which made him a very different person to the round, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "How do you know, then?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Her father is very rich?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded matter." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and spare." then?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted gone. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you directly by questioning you." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from his wife has ceased to love him." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I you give your casting vote to?" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "You are all wrong." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I beg that you will break it off." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check tightly behind him. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin hand, madam?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, meant it for the best. His name is Francis Prosper." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "It is to him that this trophy belongs." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the matter." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Here?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon bird of prey. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "I will, Miss Turner." vault. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm all that?" "Stolen." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt desk. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We cup of tea. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "You think that he is dead?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Very. But will he see it?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, are, I think, all that we need." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come for and were ordered to this address. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital situation." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up eat it." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying has little to do with my story." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down pictures, libraries, or plate. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "If so, much may have happened between." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a own family. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling seven miles from Eyford Station.' play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in the Red-headed League." together. crackling voice. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge best detective that ever lived. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "And for present expenses?" all?" hurried by. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "What?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "No sign of it?" London for the present?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at me have 200 pounds?' know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. outsides of the windows. the King without delay." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the