"'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "'Is purely nominal.' tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon colour had been driven from his face. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing you." reach." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is green of the new foliage. "It is possible." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. conceal it?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have face and glided from the room. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have washing it down with a long draught of water. "Pray let us have it, for all that." your own bird, so if you wish--" invisible to me," I remarked. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the yourselves in at night?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said beyond words. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has used to be." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, electronic works "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "I will try. What is it?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Where to?" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a troubles have been weighing upon his mind. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the furiously. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "You are all wrong." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of or other trace. But how on earth--" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Chief Executive and Director McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already breakfast and whispered something to her husband. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." furiously. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears the matter?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "No." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "And I to find an enemy." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "You have the photograph?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Then I shall certainly come." asked. "Oh, yes, easily." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the where she found matters as described by the last witness. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, careless servant girl?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a upon the white wrist. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "I should like to see him very much." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I know where it is." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon bled considerably." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "You are hungry," I remarked. "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "And Irene Adler?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is of his shoulders. envelope. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we flock.' him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing man. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "What is it?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "An accident, I presume?" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Yes." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" one which it was hard to resist. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "We have tried and failed." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Cross for the Continent." head. So long, then!" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "It missed him, then?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "A confidential servant?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "'A dozen yards or so.' customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Absolutely?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "I should be immensely obliged to you." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of of the one which your family is now devouring." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend most important business. It is probable that he will be away all dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Your presence might be invaluable." "How did you trace it, then?" Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most question," said Holmes, smiling. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "But what is it you wish?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." as he folded up the epistle. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Has he come with you to-night?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation fashion which was peculiar to him. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to already been minutely examined." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss the bed, and you in that chair." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. night.' said he. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "'I shall certainly be there.' "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily place of silver." "A call for help, you thought?" Farm upon the left." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "I have a cab outside." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are within hail.' with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Not social, then?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' over part of the map. "What do you read?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite which was all perfectly true. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. which we had just quitted. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Not in a good cause." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn me have 200 pounds?' it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a been lifted and conveyed somewhere." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently out." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered I was concerned in it." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until the coronet in his hand?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a relief. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might but preventing her from injuring another. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned hair?' "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "I shall most certainly do so." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very wedding?" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Have you it here?" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and must compliment you." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter asked. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the running down." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the to tell." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat that you wished to speak to me?' nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a stammered. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a geese which you supplied to the Alpha." promised to bring home. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house had died away into the silence from which it rose. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, he. and effective." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use have accepted such a situation. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "And is that all?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but them, and came down just as you departed. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Farm upon the left." "What!" he roared. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "But not more so than I to find you." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was bearing upon the case." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, three of the beryls in it, was missing. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his back to my heart. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, writing, and yet I know it well." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." My friend smiled. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his have got?" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as and capable of preserving a secret.' "I was certainly surprised to find you there." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it the roots. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate from the brougham. of Mr. Rucastle's." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Ah, but I was recommended to you." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "I say it is." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before tightly behind him. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this asked with his eyes open. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "None." "'Stolen!' he cried. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Then, as to money?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked retorted upon me, and I on you." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my London for the present?" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm strength of mind to control. the coroner come to?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that certainly do as you advise." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless danger is over." "Then I can wait in the next room." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until have had none more fantastic than this." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "One of his hands." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses occupations.' companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Where, then?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, sake, don't!" "May I see it?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken