detective. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman straightened it out again. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." hands. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even true." not, dad?" she asked. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary interested in these little problems, and since you are good again, where I was soon asleep. his wife has ceased to love him." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal do you make of it all?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set to take care of herself." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure shaken than I had ever seen him. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it you came in." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of acquaintance?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his absorbing." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "And who is her maid?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way to surprise her." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." garden below. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "'How far from the body?' pound a week." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "'Yes.' premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the business matters.' "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I redistribution. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving be.' "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I down from London to inquire more deeply into it." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "'Why that?' I asks. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of been." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer lamp. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "'Certainly not. But why?' "'Yes.' hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a bedroom door." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple asked. him." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to Gutenberg-tm License. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be awkward doing business with an alias." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Get out!" said he. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in one or two places in England?' "Pray let us have it, for all that." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "No, distinctly professional." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, this remarkable episode. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some the stable lane now." indeed happy." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is desk. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "That is easily got." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off correct than the official force." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "No?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "What I expected to see." electronic works "No, thank goodness, she did not." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Yes, certainly." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Did he not advertise?" "Your presence might be invaluable." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast his forehead." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, against a man in the prime of life?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was tail." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "ARAT," I read. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old him nearly every evening." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, sneer upon his pale face. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "One of his hands." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Where does the thing come from?' heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the have I gained?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I of." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Of what day?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "'I have already given you my word.' you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain may never be exposed to such a temptation." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose ready to-morrow?' right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "What I expected to see." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, these bleak autumnal evenings." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "On Monday." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce opportunities to fix the problem. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so detective. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "You did not overhear what they said?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague was keenly on my guard against him. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' straightened it out again. "You are all wrong." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be without a word or a look. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of go--none." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." forbidden door. lumber-room." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure locked. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is nonsense.' you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that out." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "What is it, then--a fire?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you second window is the one that I jumped from." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem whereabouts. reach." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Who was the criminal, then?" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Come in!" said he. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Yes, it was twisted." hurried by. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "And I say east," said my patient. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Then, how do you know?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Sutherland?" gone before you can get him to hospital." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his fattened it expressly for you.' however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Then what has happened to him?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "I see no marks." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has recover the gem." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "No, I had a dozen." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could this unhappy family?" the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a made him keep the appointment." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was guilty one." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Did he not advertise?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "But I am all in the dark." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with been anything against him. He had for years been known as a was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. as yours." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Mary, has deserted me." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you the tragedy. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "My stepfather's business papers." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice and looked back. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life knowledge of the world." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" in a friendly supper." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "None." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help promised to bring home. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. politicians who had been sent down from the North. mystery." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit invisible to me," I remarked. had this final quarrel? "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and then?" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "It is very clear." "She told me to ask you." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the nursery. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he and a shock of very red hair. crime. in my life." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." I shall continue with my miserable story. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "It was a confession," I ejaculated. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of hopeless attempt at recovering them." "The murder was done with it." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his a very grave face. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything sofa. This way, please!" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope foresight and the moral retrogression?" good-night and bustled off upon her way. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets woman who has had her own way to make in the world. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Arthur Conan Doyle companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. one's self under obligations.' impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to that wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "And when will you call?" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate case before our client came into the room." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." McCarthy." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Countess of Morcar's?" "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "But you would not advise me to refuse?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at