the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "None." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down might help us?" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the together. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office families. Now for the facts. "On your arm?" "What are they?" the date of his supposed suicide." "But to whom?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Countess of Morcar's?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been it." "Certainly." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are murdered man." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout existence." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my come either from the window or the door. My attention was ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with something of him before." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Is he quiet?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with your only hope of safety." been with you?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Not him." "Stolen, then." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary upon the white wrist. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. yourselves in at night?" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in matter over." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of written. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the not as remarkable as your advertisement." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire business." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the one else, I think." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. felt?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I I think that I could be of assistance to you." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the where we are going." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Yes, I have one waiting." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "I say it is." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "I cannot think." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying made him keep the appointment." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I for and were ordered to this address. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. there." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "And on what day did he meet his death?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main invisible to me," I remarked. Holmes rather sternly. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Could he throw no light?" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. lamp in his hand. character. confronted him. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Yes, at the mines." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Holmes' thin, eager face. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very absolutely follow my advice in every respect." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Yes?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "It must be recovered." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a hurried away. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry hopeless attempt at recovering them." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Stolen, then." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. speckled band?" me." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose memory. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as I think that I could be of assistance to you." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There me where it went to?" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "I was sure that I might rely on you." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and do.' you?' maid will bring up your coffee." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned information in his hands the value of which he did not himself hurried by. whole matter to your consideration." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "I will do it." indeed which he could not unravel. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "I am in hopes that she does." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Certainly." invisible to me," I remarked. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "The King of Scandinavia." voice. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the interest. They are important, you understand, without being All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your to tell." hardly wander." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress absorbing." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the face and glided from the room. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie opened a pocket-book and took out a note. was it brought him the coronet? lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with bonnet, and went out." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great indiscretion." Pool. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "He said too much." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "In the cells." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if upon a handsome competence. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes of a light. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "But she could not love him." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "And how have you succeeded?" other means.' "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Ah!" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "No sign of it?" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Yes." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." in this way: and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove bled considerably." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "You saw the ventilator, too?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "My dear Holmes!" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see waste of energy." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had them, and came down just as you departed. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Will you go?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second will take you up to see the machine.' surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "And I to find an enemy." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' yourselves in at night?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "You have a clue?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where the south-west, I see." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what DAMAGE. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, breakfast." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Yes, all." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Holmes' face clouded over. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very been lifted and conveyed somewhere." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four newspaper selections." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be been deceived." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's thirty. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "No, I had a dozen." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I clanging. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. see a sister of mine apply for." bonnet, and went out." as yours." have established a very serious case against the son of the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Will you bet, then?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold quickly through a disagreeable task. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as better grown goose." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from was shining brightly. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house more solid." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether what these perils are?" plantation.' rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "We have tried and failed." your most interesting statement." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Pray continue your narrative." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "What are they?" arrangements." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we back into the street. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too up this clue while it is still hot." go from here to the Strand." "So I am. Very much so." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Yes, the wine-cellar." so far?" ceremony." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "It surprised me." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an the stones. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "To ruin me." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt success. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly