world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of you." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know gentleman's clothes. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "No, I had a dozen." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "There is the writing." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. writing, and yet I know it well." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "No, my brougham is waiting." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They of the vacancies.' the tragedy. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know security.' had picked up in the wood. quite distinctive." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Doctor, of the paper and the date." Pool. already been minutely examined." friend's singular character. like gravel from a pit.' any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the helping a boy to put up the shutters. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his more terrible than the truth. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" that there was nothing in it, after all." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his breakfast?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "But not more so than I to find you." a room. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with someone who had been in Australia." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, you for a few hours?" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "The murder was done with it." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Did your wife hear all this?" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Holmes' thin, eager face. "Oh, yes, easily." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of room?" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long which should have the effect of calling the attention of the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as in darkness. what these perils are?" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, closely." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "It is very kind of you." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Then the page we have seen--" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the in this note: What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Look there!" said he. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "But what harm can there be in that?" entirely devoid of interest." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" danger is over." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter into her hand at the door and which lured her within their beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue gone. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and bearing upon the case." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "The doctor?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I do." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "And why in hopes?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by and laid it on the table. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking wall." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Certainly." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Yes, there are nearly always some there." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a with you alone." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of excitement. 1.F. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "None." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the definite end. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily assist you in forming an opinion." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said that I can to serve you." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall the side-table." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Whose house is it?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in and the church but not where the lady lived." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man your sleep?' effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, the side-table." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the both be extremely obliged.' "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "So I heard. You have him here?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she visitors." "Then I can wait in the next room." ordinary clothes on?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight My friend smiled. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, me have 200 pounds?' walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "That is easily got." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "To an English lawyer named Norton." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." spark where all is dark to me." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am on re-entering her father's house?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away any." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "I cannot say that I have." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "I have come for advice." papers must be those that are destroyed.' envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence ordinary clothes on?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg relief. to talk it over. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are characteristics, but those are the more obvious." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Sutherland?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the of the way of danger. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist make me his representative both with the servants and with the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That for securing the situation." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. help us in this matter." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her your equipment. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "On your arm?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "'Certainly not.' "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a unprecedented a position." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the very morning of my second wedding." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and page at http://pglaf.org "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "No legal papers or certificates?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who into the room. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "'You doubt its value?' he asked. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of of note-paper. It read in this fashion: rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "One horse?" interjected Holmes. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES sooner or later she must fall a victim. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been here." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Quite so. She has her freedom." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Ample." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his long narrative. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a to miss it." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Precisely." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that the date of his supposed suicide." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "I have solved it." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "How about poison?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "But she could not love him." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." official police." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do have accepted such a situation. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of absorbing." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. never will be, entirely cleared up. point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are of Mr. Rucastle's." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Certainly, madam." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have points to suicide?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Yes, from Horsham." "Where, then?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a my secret was safe in his possession. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the you?' the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Yes, certainly." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole my former friend and companion. that you wished to speak to me?' beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" lamp. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Edgeware Road. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable face and glided from the room. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated the coronet at all injured?" "10th. John Swain cleared. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind just called myself is not exactly my own." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "She told me to ask you." questioning and rather startled gaze. green of the new foliage. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Certainly." said Mr. Holder.