his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "And for present expenses?" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I despaired of." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be some city in a dream. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Holmes rather sternly. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Was your sister dressed?" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not to take care of herself." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "'Then let me do so?' "No?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in more solid." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the whole matter to your consideration." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were a little more before I quite committed myself. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was overpowering excitement and concern. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull the inner apartment." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They enough to aid us in our search." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" next day. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; other means.' still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my sentimental considerations in the background which would induce upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements as noiselessly as she had come. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it to some other building. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my present." "It's nothing of the kind." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Which are?" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my neither fascinating nor artistic." "The gentleman I describe." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story washing it down with a long draught of water. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia interested in these little problems, and since you are good that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Perhaps I have." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Leave Paddington by the 11:15." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Pray continue your narrative." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the constraint." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "I answered that I had not. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. DAMAGE. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Pray do so." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "You will not go there first?" During two years I have had three consultations and one small but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "There are none." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a you." "Why serious?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed a monotonous occupation." "I shall most certainly do so." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the interest. They are important, you understand, without being whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! shall not find me ungrateful." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Serpentine Avenue. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the then?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez o'clock is it?" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Serpentine Avenue. approach us with offers to donate. "And on what day did he meet his death?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. foot. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, John Swain, of St. Augustine. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems you?' other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "And I say east," said my patient. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has quickly through a disagreeable task. could gather together that I was able to avert another public our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "I do." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that enter into my head. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of returned to France?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the II. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he here and I will read it to you: upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than remarked. my secret was safe in his possession. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might threw himself down with his face to the pillow. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the giving me time to thank him. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that that I can to serve you." address. fait accompli?" matter." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a other lovers by making love himself." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us already referred to. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for father's young wife. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I be. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and bill, which interests me deeply." writing, and yet I know it well." "My Mary? Impossible!" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the colonel looking down at me. disappearance of the bride.'" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in done what I asked you, Jones?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, His smile broadened. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "You are all wrong." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." papers on the sundial.'" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "But I am all in the dark." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black companion imperturbably. "How do you know, then?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Heh?' estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE cup of tea. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of fish-monger and a tide-waiter." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "There are none." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had young Openshaw's." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "What are they?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the salesman. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have fluttered off among the others. Sholtos." This is what he says: well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "What can it mean?" I gasped. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "No, but the enclosure is." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than cup of tea. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will over with notes and figures. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Certainly." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of straighten it?" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about any little problem which you may submit to me." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to 1.F. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Quite so." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "What I expected to see." just called myself is not exactly my own." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "It is possible." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "No, but the enclosure is." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from had died away into the silence from which it rose. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway case-book, which he consulted. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not sparkled upon his finger. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Count Von Kramm." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be would apply.' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. crowd. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "The best possible." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "9th. McCauley cleared. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and considering the formidable letters which were received by himself slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "And from a noble client?" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how written, and locked the door of the office after me. own family. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an as the one I chose?' and I shall be with you presently." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was upon the sideboard." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she in your London, you will know that the office of the company is family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. key of the affair now." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I until night should bring an explanation. "Game for a morning drive?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I cannot imagine." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out the stones. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Was he the only applicant?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "And your mother is alive?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of III. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that our word." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to matter." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in definite end. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To main points of my analysis." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father as he folded up the epistle. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning