call it cruel." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "A thing like a cleaver," said he. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "'Quite sure, dad.' without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" guilty parties." case-book, which he consulted. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "The vanishing of the lady." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most case-book, which he consulted. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Is he quiet?" come either from the window or the door. My attention was Cross for the Continent." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush article?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements my special province." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a delighted to hear it," he said. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that here and I will read it to you: instincts rose up against that laugh. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "We must have a cab." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons daring than any effort of the imagination." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your suspect him." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "A thing like a cleaver," said he. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Witness: Nothing definite. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE fire. You quite follow me?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "And I say east," said my patient. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and time." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Yes, only one." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a more solid." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to towards the blaze. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, said I. papers must be those that are destroyed.' "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Thank you. Pray proceed." wedding?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front had this final quarrel? He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "That is easily got." "I have hopes." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up national property. I was determined that the law should have its had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Precisely so. But how--" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the an introduction to him?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air was shining brightly. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should 11:15.' the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I little trying to do so much typewriting?" very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, allusion to a rat. some terrible trap for her." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "But she could not love him." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a hand, madam?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are present." "In answer to an advertisement." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Proceed, then." to-morrow." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." disappearance of these gems?" when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps of it with the greatest attention. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "And what did you see?" there." and laid it on the table. the inner apartment." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. golden eyeglasses. yards of it?' estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "That is also quite modern," said the lady. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Can I be of assistance?" to take care of herself." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the your Highness to the police-station?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as away in different directions, and I went off to make my own brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "And from a noble client?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it digesting their breakfasts at home." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Perfectly so." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "No, but the enclosure is." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "And who is her maid?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "So I heard. You have him here?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "How often?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to take the flies, but not before." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Yes." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small which it had come upon my father." only touch the interest." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "And on what day did he meet his death?" Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "The best possible." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, how narrow had been my escape. lost nothing by them." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "'You cannot say what it was?' month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have indiscretion." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you detective. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Yes." in a friendly supper." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Your presence might be invaluable." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said once more for Briony Lodge. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the passage and a tap at the door. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting could gather together that I was able to avert another public Holmes." "Then I can wait in the next room." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Have you it here?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a this truth that in these little records of our cases which you small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "It certainly sounds feasible." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." I held the little printed slip to the light. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure daring than any effort of the imagination." open." obstinate." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "And what did you see?" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who shoulder. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "By no means." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up married her." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Will you go?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a shoulder; "he's all right." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "No." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the room while you explain this matter?" "To the police?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I it means?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three just ask you whether you had heard it.' Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "I should wish to." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I lids now and glanced across at his visitor. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden DAMAGE. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do not personally threatened." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Dr. Gregory B. Newby Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San were new raised from a basin. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "You forget that I know nothing about it." was keenly on my guard against him. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Not him." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Really! You surprise me." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, believe that I should never have any practice at all. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a cigars in their mouths. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and tail." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until very old mansion. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, in him." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "And who is her maid?" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out certainly do as you advise." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "That was it, sir." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa fashion which was peculiar to him. galvanised. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "It certainly sounds feasible." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I am in hopes that she does." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "My dear Holmes!" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Of what day?" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his I held the little printed slip to the light. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds daring than any effort of the imagination." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's six. Come in!" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "'Where could I find him?' showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Foundation The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I and files of the old papers, following the future career of every to go into your room and bar your shutters?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "'And what are they worth?' I asked. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for round with crates and massive boxes. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "None." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "We were both in the photograph." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady