round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, your room." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at introspective fashion. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which detained." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to McCarthy's innocence. prison!" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." emerged. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "And why in hopes?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," of receipt of the work. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until Foundation came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to existence." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic I held the little printed slip to the light. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" garden below. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, three fields round his house, and there he would take his ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called against a man in the prime of life?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change gentleman's clothes. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "'Never,' said I. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For she slowly sank and died without having recovered her about. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a this man was intellectual?" problems help me to do so." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That fashion which was peculiar to him. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Where, then?" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, like that before?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect where we are going." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and one which it was hard to resist. companion imperturbably. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "At what time?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "9th. McCauley cleared. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "No." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "She will not sell." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford families. Now for the facts. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Then I can wait in the next room." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly ceremony." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Have you her photograph?" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. know what is wrong with it.' knowledge of the world." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other sentimental considerations in the background which would induce for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Then you may be so with me." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Texas, I think." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Pool. touch that coronet?' "It is to him that this trophy belongs." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the a very grave face. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "My private note-paper." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "That was it, sir." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while me upon any point which I do not make clear." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally becomes even more simple." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "And how?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' strode off upon his way. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I flock.' informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were an introduction to him?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum sound at heart." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, there!' seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on swore that no one else had been in the front room during the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good taking in every detail of the apartment. from you?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Did he not advertise?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Stolen, then." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Which are?" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream papers must be those that are destroyed.' impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "We have tried and failed." "I would pay ten." man. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "'Why that?' I asks. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "And sit in the dark?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Indeed! Whose, then?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down cigars in the box." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is it? Did I buy the geese off you?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Your presence might be invaluable." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and he died? as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come gigantic client. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is into the bag, and made for the door. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for him nearly every evening." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a tell me that you intended to go into harness." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his said Mr. Holder. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need eavesdroppers?' "Your French gold?" finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the public press." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Well?" "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not interests were the same as his." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the I think that I could be of assistance to you." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. of the one which your family is now devouring." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed what is your own theory as to what took place?" 1.F. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, upon an income of about 60 pounds." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in details." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Holmes." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a time." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "What!" he roared. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Literary Archive Foundation any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, standing smiling on the door-step. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then could not have written that. It is the German who is so elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "We have tried and failed." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." within hail.' His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with prisoner's face. "The vanishing of the lady." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, you, my dear young lady?' and I shall be with you presently." like gravel from a pit.' "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen my room." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "On Monday." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course exactly what you advise." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would evidence," I remarked. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, my friend's incisive reasoning. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." burst out into a roar of laughter. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to o'clock is it?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "I think that it is very probable." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I am still in the dark." power." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "'Certainly not. But why?' sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "May I see it?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "By all means." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. in his hands." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Breckinridge is his name." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said floor. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose breakfast?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Was there a secret marriage?" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "And it is--" figure." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Where does the thing come from?' My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a here and I will read it to you: Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: chance at all." events, Mr. Windibank!" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their all that?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. flock.' the nursery. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "You did not overhear what they said?" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "No, I think that I'll take it." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." like that before?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his I nodded to show that I had heard. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came brandy and water within his reach. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" friend's singular character. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "May I see it?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was nonsense.' "My stepfather's business papers." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the roots. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes fasten all the windows?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" observed.