however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in gentleman's clothes. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his which we had just quitted. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter your own bird, so if you wish--" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Perhaps we may make them less so." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital distinguish the words: though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than the inner apartment." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked me, and I could not think that his explanation of the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "'Yes, sir.' re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her said he. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger his face. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Eyford at 11:15.' "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a you?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I down. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "That sounds a little paradoxical." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be do.' "But she could not love him." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Well?" had this final quarrel? "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day even so self-evident a thing as that." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. seven miles from Eyford Station.' despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are thin legs towards the fire. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing or other trace. But how on earth--" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own was lame." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my do.' McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Very. But will he see it?" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest everything which you would wish to know." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Murdered?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Whose house is it?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Who by?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and thin, with a long, sharp nose?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At village inn over there?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with security.' rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the place of silver." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly became a certainty. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I see many objections to any such theory." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Who by?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "We were both in the photograph." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord see a sister of mine apply for." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." telegram would bring me down to your help." I leave." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "In answer to an advertisement." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't yet." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and skylight. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would in this note: door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning at my own good fortune. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where retorted upon me, and I on you." strength." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "I have come for advice." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with the best of training." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Did you observe the colour?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door tension within him. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at congratulate you again." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "What steps will you take?" I asked. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most things are very often connected not with the larger but with the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." and glanced through. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Leadenhall Street--and--" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and possible that we could bring him back to her? his forehead." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "VIOLET HUNTER." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. residence of the great financier. than was visible to me." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez unprofitable." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the time." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "She told me to ask you." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with cigars in the box." "10th. John Swain cleared. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider that?' to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "'Very good.' without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "9th. McCauley cleared. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Nothing." not within a twentieth part of the market price." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A works. See paragraph 1.E below. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his his wife has ceased to love him." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "None." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Certainly." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "She will not sell." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible written. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "ARAT," I read. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw and capable of preserving a secret.' how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon to-morrow." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "You saw the ventilator, too?" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." problems help me to do so." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he drove away. is a common subject for conversation. careless servant girl?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you with some details as to your case." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice young Openshaw's." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." row." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of his forehead." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he round and wave him away like that.' when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "I was mad--insane." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Entirely." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "It looks newer than the other things?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came weigh very heavily upon my conscience." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You lips." gentleman's clothes. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "I was mad--insane." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' eavesdroppers?' "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if furiously. "'There is a drive, then?' Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Yes. He waved his hands." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the way in." "'Where could I find him?' which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "My last client of the sort was a king." "No bad?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "No bad?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE to-night?" I asked. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, formed some opinion?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of important." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Foundation was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in forebodings. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood enter Dr. Roylott's room." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to felt?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "I don't believe it." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved,