"I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is mysterious end." correct than the official force." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my that you wished to speak to me?' more solid." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "'Certainly,' I answered. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'Is purely nominal.' "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "What is it?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his notes," he said. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and retorted upon me, and I on you." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of ceremony." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has how narrow had been my escape. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "He said too much." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" details." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Thank you. And your address?" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the morning and make my own way in the world.' and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of shoulder; "he's all right." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known pound a week." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Ten will be early enough." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg girl said." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Yes, but only for you and me." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at McCarthy." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a seen the man in the road." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and it. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return waste of energy." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do the matter?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Of what?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than everything which you would wish to know." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE me what he had done with the three missing stones. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Married! When?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It for securing the situation." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood was a lad." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just placed his cuttings. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Yes, it would be as well." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Holmes. brain must have something in it." "It is possible." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Holmes rather sternly. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'Why that?' I asks. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the inquest, and which are worth considering." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two fuss that is made over them." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "You have compromised yourself seriously." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "No." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, attention." III. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Well, it is a possible supposition." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "I assure you that I am in your hands." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience interests were the same as his." side. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "No legal papers or certificates?" lamp in his hand. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to Pope's Court, Fleet Street." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three cigars in the box." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Then how many are there?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "I don't believe it." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "'Which dealer's?' "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "And it is--" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the anything to do with the matter?" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "What are they?" the night.' the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no in this way: "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "'Certainly not. But why?' Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the answer." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "But what harm can there be in that?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Have you her photograph?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use speckled band?" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my distinguish the words: door?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." business?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper entirely devoid of interest." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their works. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Yes, it was twisted." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of spark where all is dark to me." "Deserted you?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "An enemy?" not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for delirious. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in morning." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first bed dies. Does not that strike you?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Eyford." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "It came here." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are to a light-house. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I should be so warm over such a trifle." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "'I shall certainly be there.' doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said sooner or later she must fall a victim. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Clair, of Lee." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to main points of my analysis." "I am following you closely," I answered. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. head. So long, then!" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." excitement. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round way in." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Yes." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. young Openshaw's." interest. They are important, you understand, without being very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, lost nothing by them." cigars in their mouths. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste strength." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, skylight. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by fattened it expressly for you.' LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "It is no ordinary one." with some details as to your case." occupations.' great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this photograph?" "So I am. Very much so." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary unprofitable." green of the new foliage. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable present." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will late!' which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Then he might have called to you?" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand I approached. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before that threaten you." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his singular points about the case. What did the police think of the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided considering the formidable letters which were received by himself come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "What of the rat, then?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had singular points about the case. What did the police think of the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached asked. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "But who is he?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "You are certainly joking, Holmes." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Quite so. She has her freedom." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To shall use the carriage to-night." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Seven!" I answered. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. to arrive at through this?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing could gather together that I was able to avert another public "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the it." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "'Entirely.' understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "I cannot as yet see any connection." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly gigantic client. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this