pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "This photograph!" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and presented which may be striking and bizarre without being lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "What?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about absolutely follow my advice in every respect." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "9th. McCauley cleared. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls union?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "At the wedding breakfast." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who photograph a cabinet?" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "'Very good.' "That's no good." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem following enigmatical notices: the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "To an English lawyer named Norton." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, guilty one." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Not in the least." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I plantation.' Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "'And the work?' had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out will find little credit to be gained out of this case." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it distance from the station, and there we found the young lady way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "She walked into the breakfast-room." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face be. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Was your sister dressed?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Certainly." cigar and let me expound." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Here?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that what I may call a really hard day's work." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Oh, fresh and glossy." compunction about shooting them down." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the tragedy. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his ashen face. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious with you alone." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for delirious. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "How are you getting on?" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "'What would be the hours?' I asked. what is your own theory as to what took place?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this furiously. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it prove to be little relation between the different incidents of It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that an introduction to him?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should 1.E.9. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Only as much as we can deduce." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Yes." about. within hail.' "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." not, dad?" she asked. garden below. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a this as likely?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and friend's singular character. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and knowledge of the world." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Your French gold?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too written. not, dad?" she asked. see me here to avoid scandal." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any where we are going." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my detained." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, individual and becomes the badge of a society." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Not social, then?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a strength." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed at a side door. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Count Von Kramm." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands test if we have an answer to our advertisement." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had My friend smiled. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "What is it?" ashen face. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Then I do not see the point." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "No?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at open." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "To the police?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same galvanised. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the your most interesting statement." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, there when the Rucastles went away." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "'Where to?' the very morning of the wedding." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely him and tried to hold him back. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "He is dead," cried several voices. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "We have tried and failed." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the Assizes." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "What do you make of that, Watson?" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "My dear Holmes!" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. wedding?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few and laid it on the table. orange pips. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace dear old homesteads?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the your only hope of safety." "Very murderous indeed." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" in the dead of the night?' "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "What office?" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "It must be recovered." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' prepare for the new role I have to play." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Clair, of Lee." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to down from London to inquire more deeply into it." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so upon an income of about 60 pounds." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Yes, I have one waiting." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "She will not sell." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," tapping his fingers upon the table. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not head. So long, then!" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if quickly through a disagreeable task. "None." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would is now desirous of getting those letters back." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Nothing?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are before, for it was considerably after midnight. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what never came back." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "It is solved." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his purpose of examination. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father said I. "My Mary? Impossible!" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "It is possible." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped individual and becomes the badge of a society." My friend smiled. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "But how?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those had a long day." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger