with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of already been minutely examined." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a your troubles." "Then the page we have seen--" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the back into the street. residence of the great financier. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "No." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, this as likely?" your equipment. carriage. It was a chestnut." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Only as much as we can deduce." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third mystery!" pressing in one house as in another. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Sutherland?" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the room?" spark where all is dark to me." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at I approached. "Pray do so." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious and looked back. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in noble correspondent could be. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. were new raised from a basin. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to my friend's incisive reasoning. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me must be when I saw the door open.' up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my an introduction to him?" Eyford." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had or in danger--" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "No, my brougham is waiting." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "And on what day did he meet his death?" "No, distinctly professional." of a light. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some one of them." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "To ruin me." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from chill to my heart. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger bill, which interests me deeply." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just of your young ladies.' He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let his huge brown hands. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" village inn over there?" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "I will not look." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door useful material for showing traces. The double line a little extraordinary contortions. "Married! When?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new in his power. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "I say that I have solved it." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this at once, for I have only half an hour." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. whether it answered to the description of any of their with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can tassel actually lying upon the pillow. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared again, where I was soon asleep. "None." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation served to weaken the effect. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by conceal it?" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "It is very clear." "I have hopes." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good ago." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that some terrible trap for her." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a companion imperturbably. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "And leave your case unfinished?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered your only hope of safety." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that both be extremely obliged.' the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist the ceiling. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "What! Had he lost his wife?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a people in all walks of life. "We were both in the photograph." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through was a lad." chamber." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I details." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for hardly wander." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said visitors." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "And your father? Did you tell him?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Eh? What was that?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Then I shall certainly come." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really what is your own theory as to what took place?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the trying to your nerves." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "By no means." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I would pay ten." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, union?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which o'clock is it?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "I am to be neutral?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have power." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some some mystery and the punishment of some crime." matters immensely." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his copied or distributed: McCarthy's innocence. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Leadenhall Street--and--" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "'A dozen yards or so.' squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Very much so." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." his fortune, and I went back to pa. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may asked. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between from the brougham. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said is worth.' terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Proceed, then." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a knowledge of the world." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "'And what salary do you ask?' VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "And on what day did he meet his death?" "'Quite sure, dad.' "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to gone. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is them?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" she might be summoned. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make criminal. We have already had experience of such." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than have one." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a which are rolled in Rotterdam." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "I was sure that I might rely on you." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Yes." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" crime. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my lids now and glanced across at his visitor. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup fluttered off among the others. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. already referred to. round with crates and massive boxes. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the the south-west, I see." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else detective. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Thank you. Pray proceed." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom of receipt of the work. of campaign. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned and no precautions can guard against." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Then how many are there?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." was shining brightly. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." there has been an enclosure here!" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "I don't say that. Perhaps." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "None." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." stood on the top of it. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, been." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "It looks newer than the other things?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Perhaps I have." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "But how will you look?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the room while you explain this matter?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me which I could not give. He asked for Alice. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the you." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. papers must be those that are destroyed.' ways of our fellow-men." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Literary Archive Foundation "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than your billet.' lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back speckled band?" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Seven!" I answered. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Yes?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so and that he would see to anything that turned up. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried if only as a check to my own memory." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. bell. Holmes whistled. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me.