"It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "By no means." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried which was all perfectly true. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at shoulder; "he's all right." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall hurried away. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may than to us. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, populous neighbourhood." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so of Fenchurch Street." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "I will, Miss Turner." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not lost his Christmas dinner." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him intimate personal affairs in this public manner." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector bedroom door." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "No, distinctly professional." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying will he say when he returns?" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "And what then?" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy guilty one." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you During two years I have had three consultations and one small "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried morning." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "None." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "You were travelling in the States?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Yes. He waved his hands." it." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "No." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a go back?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "I think it very unlikely." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Then, as to money?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left the very morning of the wedding." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst crackling voice. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my once more for Briony Lodge. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "If I can be of use." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the goes." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may must compliment you." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. and the colonel ushered me in. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Two days later this same performance was gone through under master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "No legal papers or certificates?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he must be when I saw the door open.' "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive to his chemical studies. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, investigation." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "It must be recovered." rooms." copied or distributed: occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "And from a noble client?" yet." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; the room while you explain this matter?" breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found it." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "You know me, then?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him matters immensely." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich you want, then?' homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Yes, only one." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you that there was nothing in it, after all." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an What do you deduce from it?" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "It is very clear." green of the new foliage. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That father's place of business?" attention." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable congenial hunt. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, voice. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's nice household for a young lady." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Precisely." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your ready to-morrow?' A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the awaited us upon the table. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet Count Von Kramm." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the which we had just quitted. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE nothing with him." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and sneer upon his pale face. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." little adventures." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the from the brougham. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you written. "If so, much may have happened between." companion quietly. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "It is true that I have been generally successful." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Is he quiet?" better grown goose." "Then, as to money?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a knowledge of the world." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the not as remarkable as your advertisement." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "You are certainly joking, Holmes." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" trying to your nerves." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, cheerful." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon what is your own theory as to what took place?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him public press." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and made him keep the appointment." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. was used.' garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even to you." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into see me here to avoid scandal." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so about. "Never to return." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently mysterious business." "You have compromised yourself seriously." beg that you will break it off." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "It must be recovered." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took narrative." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," minor matters until to-morrow." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Yes." "It is a murder, then?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning about. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he the house with me." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Quite so. She has her freedom." the warnings." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Well, but China?" Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and if only as a check to my own memory." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "And how did you verify them?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. from the brougham. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched chamber." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the driver. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And tail." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "But what harm can there be in that?" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before it? Did I buy the geese off you?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found be there in time for your coming." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the morning." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Indeed! Whose, then?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "'I have heard so.' of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "You have a clue?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "How on earth--" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Was she in good spirits?" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "On Monday." daring than any effort of the imagination." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the fashion which was peculiar to him. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced to surprise her." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming meant it for the best. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "One?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though than was visible to me." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, some terrible trap for her." dead, shall be safe with us." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else."