himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Thank you. And your address?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning I approached. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "She walked into the breakfast-room." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a did not hear it also.' "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge fatally injured? "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the warnings." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at goes." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "No sign of it?" to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "'Is 4 pounds a week.' same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, mystery!" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm case-book, which he consulted. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Lee, in the county of Kent." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by said I. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort it were putty." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are most interesting one." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "I promise," said Holmes. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a in my life." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in pictures, libraries, or plate. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done the little opening for the ventilator is." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "But I am all in the dark." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out said I. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and bell. Holmes whistled. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with it? Did I buy the geese off you?" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "But his left-handedness." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here daring than any effort of the imagination." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Mrs. Toller serenely. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, garden below. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend and capable of preserving a secret.' "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying with you?" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. and a shock of very red hair. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party and the colonel ushered me in. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. very old mansion. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were certainly not very gracious." "He said too much." "Absolutely?" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin this unhappy family?" "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "'What do you call purely nominal?' his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is unclasping of his long thin hands. handed it to him. he bowed and left the room without another word. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "On the contrary, this is the right side." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the enough to aid us in our search." do you make of it all?" in the port of London." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran strange features which were associated with the two crimes which here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." woman." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "I was mad--insane." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a ready to-morrow?' He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Where did you address your letters, then?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO there was no need for father to know." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, row." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Nothing." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "I was sure that I might rely on you." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would became a certainty. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the any more." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Quite so." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my ways of our fellow-men." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of I took the paper from him and read as follows: night.' said he. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a nice household for a young lady." might help us?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Where is it, then?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my whether it answered to the description of any of their and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Yes, all." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "And you thought he was pulled back?" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Texas, I think." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had happened." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Quite so." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "What! You do not mean bodies?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "I am still in the dark." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Game for a morning drive?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "But how?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right is acting for the best. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have key of the affair now." John Swain, of St. Augustine. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few any little problem which you may submit to me." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked were wasted." the one as in the other." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, there." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the matter?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "'Certainly not.' fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as DAMAGE. so.' Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before long narrative. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "We were both in the photograph." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the asked. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" at once, for I have only half an hour." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of once more to my work. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged should be so warm over such a trifle." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a occupations.' form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, look upon these things in a different way." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able learned something! Where are the gems?" III. have established a very serious case against the son of the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of from the brougham. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "His face fell immediately. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at him. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was is so. I know all about McCarthy." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him once more for Briony Lodge. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." whatever might befall. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting would apply.' "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Certainly, madam." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face system of imprisonment?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been you came in." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have all-comprehensive glances. problems help me to do so." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a your sleep?' in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece room had already been engaged for us. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, him nearly every evening." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "But it has twice been burgled." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Was he the only applicant?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the of this gang." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "At half-wages, in fact." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I imbecility!" he cried. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready your billet.' Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small behind me. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "I am following you closely," I answered. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally chance at all." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "And sit in the dark?" "What is it, then--a fire?" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I companion. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was a suggestive one." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "It's nothing of the kind." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and she might be summoned. that, and I came down." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "I should wish to." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you there is a decided draught." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. that he will be back before evening." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were once more. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Nor running a chance of arrest?" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the coroner come to?" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was him." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up.