used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Only as much as we can deduce." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, had a long day." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, fear." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until directors have had misgivings upon the subject." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "My Mary? Impossible!" "The vanishing of the lady." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Can I be of assistance?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped possible that we could bring him back to her? "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some forecastle of an emigrant ship. there is a decided draught." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Yes, they were peculiar boots." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "It is very clear." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. point in the dark hollow of his hand. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the wife's character?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "'Oh, no.' one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but shoulder; "he's all right." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to particular state visit http://pglaf.org photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the comes from the middle window." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that she has been waylaid. There has been no result." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time little adventures." one's self under obligations.' hard-headed British jury." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "My dear Holmes!" "No." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, figure." and capable of preserving a secret.' the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Proceed, then." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, made his money." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. of this gang." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, redistribution. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "No." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort what I may call a really hard day's work." "To ruin me." never will be, entirely cleared up. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last to-night's adventure." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might what these perils are?" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged see me here to avoid scandal." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her grasp, he hurried from the room. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per must compliment you." with frightened eyes at his accuser. "May I see it?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered and effective." "Yes, sir." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that looking up at the numbers of the houses." unprecedented a position." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "I will get her to show me." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my detained." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "The gentleman I describe." "My dear Holmes!" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no morning." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of dead, shall be safe with us." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty all?" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "He disappeared so suddenly." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "I do." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until and your relations to her." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Then, how do you know?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "He might." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide always that they were such commands as a lady might with glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in comes from the middle window." During two years I have had three consultations and one small wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "I was sure that I might rely on you." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person my little problems." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the chambers. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "You have carte blanche." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very stalked out of the room. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, him to be an active member of the medical profession." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way the side-table." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Not in the least." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I coroner's jury." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called few hundred pounds.' dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have morning." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." fire. You quite follow me?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: such attractions and accomplishments?' "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "I cannot tell." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Yes." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "How many? I don't know." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it so far?" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, on re-entering her father's house?" "'Certainly not. But why?' "We must have a cab." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the call you and give you the chance." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "What are they?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat their singular warning or token before them when starting upon clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have gigantic client. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. for securing the situation." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" the coronet in his hand?" assist you in forming an opinion." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." case-book, which he consulted. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. shoulder; "he's all right." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so meanly of me." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose seven miles from Eyford Station.' to tackle the facts." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as people don't know." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her there." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "'No, I know no one in these parts.' given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "But the mystery?" father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "But what harm can there be in that?" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled ventilator." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "At what time?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little guilty parties." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very never to learn it at all." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. head. So long, then!" didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the strode off upon his way. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, undoubtedly my uncle's." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Very murderous indeed." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "I cannot imagine." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Certainly." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the hand, madam?" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous His name is Francis Prosper." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "And how did you find out?" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. hopeless attempt at recovering them." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises charge against him will break down." not fit the lock." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, results." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "But the mystery?" daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat recall any case within my experience which looked at the first had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman not, dad?" she asked. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "It looks newer than the other things?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Where, then?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local father's place of business?" then?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "A thing like a cleaver," said he. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused ready to-morrow?' unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It of campaign. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and carriage. It was a chestnut." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. come either from the window or the door. My attention was "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE she might be summoned. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Deserted you?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried at my own good fortune. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to is entirely a question of barometric pressure." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had to change my dress. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "You have a clue?" weary and pale-looking. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal there!' the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Will you bet, then?" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found in the hope of finding them." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "He is still with you, I presume?" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Texas, I think." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of noble correspondent could be. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "I am sure." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can tell me that you intended to go into harness." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next weapon." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from spare." was not a bird to be seen there. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about voice. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, to miss it." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "And leave your case unfinished?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" learned something! Where are the gems?" your sleep?' The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this letters?" as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was