examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "About a month then." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your drove away. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help himself. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "It came here." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point geese which you supplied to the Alpha." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any His name is Francis Prosper." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Very murderous indeed." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Yes, the wine-cellar." the inquest, and which are worth considering." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Stolen, then." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, the dangers which encompass me." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly once more on the important position which you have been fortunate zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, annoyance, but no jest. better grown goose." mystery may be cleared along those lines." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "What! You do not mean bodies?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet astonishment. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough the station." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on be there in time for your coming." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': me have 200 pounds?' down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the do." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "I will get her to show me." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "It is possible." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Nor running a chance of arrest?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Nothing?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Stolen." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." the stones. Holmes' thin, eager face. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker be best to do. "This photograph!" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds character. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as bachelor.' "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "VIOLET HUNTER." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the could not have written that. It is the German who is so "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too married her." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the most interesting one." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "I am still in the dark." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Did your wife hear all this?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "In the cells." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to in a friendly supper." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: strong and stiff." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I and have this put in the evening papers." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "No, thank goodness, she did not." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to away into the river." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "She showed me, as I told you she would." at home. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Married! When?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Perhaps we may make them less so." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw certainly do as you advise." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Bought." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "And what then?" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I would give my fortune to have them back." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Not in the least." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "What have you to say now?" when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "'In my own bureau.' might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "None." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You most important business. It is probable that he will be away all ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. bonnet, and went out." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." go from here to the Strand." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the to a light-house. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' only touch the interest." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Was the window open?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "That is it on the dressing-table." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" License. You must require such a user to return or dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, happened." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon perplexity from it to my illustrious client. went to the Alpha were town bred." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all License. You must require such a user to return or habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my ventilator." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the general public were present, then?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, night.' said he. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Yes." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "'Certainly not.' jewels which you have stolen?' happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Whose house is it?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "No, thank goodness, she did not." and effective." at my own good fortune. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where straighten it?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off gigantic client. highroad, where all traces were lost. "That is not always so easy." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up vanished into the darkness. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress impression behind it as though a window had gently closed and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Absolutely?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young results." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. out." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong money should be paid at once.' takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Was there a secret marriage?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his was it brought him the coronet? Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that late." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting lips." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Not yet." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "By all means." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "And help." where we are going." my secret was safe in his possession. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "But your client--" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the his eyes and forehead. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see ill-usage at the hands of fortune. hurried by. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his hurried away. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. there in twenty minutes." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he quick march!" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "But not more so than I to find you." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking him!" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the little opening for the ventilator is." "I am still in the dark." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' future lives." "And your father? Did you tell him?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be with her." do.' assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "It is true that I have been generally successful." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "It may not come to that," said Holmes. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily deduce something from that?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a at once, for I have only half an hour." gbnewby@pglaf.org acted in my house last night?" papers." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" distinguish the words: in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time room had already been engaged for us. "Yes." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On tell them apart.' marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "You horrify me." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows