legal crime." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have union?" room had already been engaged for us. said he. interested in these little problems, and since you are good the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "'How far from the body?' charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster secret." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any call for it in person on Monday morning.' "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he woven round him. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 morning." felt the room to be a little close.' A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in of this gang." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in distinguish the words: the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "No, but the enclosure is." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the loss of it. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which your troubles." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was highroad, where all traces were lost. have had none more fantastic than this." "No." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of could not account in any way for the presence of the missing and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney cause to be." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the the one as in the other." written. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Imitated." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "I see no marks." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "'And the work?' "It is very kind of you." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her crime. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "My dear Holmes!" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" upon the white wrist. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Dr. Becher's." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Very murderous indeed." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "To an English lawyer named Norton." copied or distributed: to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "No." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "He might." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Then I shall certainly come." "But his left-handedness." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "You have but to name it." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in gbnewby@pglaf.org telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, McCarthy's innocence. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "I see no marks." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. danger is over." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to within hail.' cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until she has been waylaid. There has been no result." conceal it?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Yes, they were peculiar boots." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, article?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of respectable self." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "No, but the enclosure is." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly hurried away. without a word or a look. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in instincts rose up against that laugh. "When did it break out?" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through important." open." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. into the room. in my life." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, not interfere, come what may. You understand?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental see a sister of mine apply for." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Ha! you find it so?" fattened it expressly for you.' "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire upon the shelf for the interim." Watson," he said cordially. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought persecution?" gives a meaning to it." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "What!" he roared. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to points to suicide?" in darkness. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he directly by questioning you." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon triumphant cloud from his cigarette. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further started for the Temple to see my husband. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the open." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "I answered that I had not. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming might help us?" bill, which interests me deeply." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." of Mr. Rucastle's." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My the roots. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "I cannot say that I have." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." presume?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, touch that coronet?' "And your mother is alive?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Surrey." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" quite distinctive." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "There is the writing." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our outbreak?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "What, then, did Peterson do?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "And you thought he was pulled back?" golden eyeglasses. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I me." "Who was the criminal, then?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Very murderous indeed." to his chemical studies. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "'It is locked up,' I answered. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "No, I think that I'll take it." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." directly by questioning you." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "That sounds a little paradoxical." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' third from London." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is shoulder. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in in one or two places in England?' Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "I am still in the dark." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "What is it, then--a fire?" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place chance." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Eyford at 11:15.' inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. asked with his eyes open. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "But of what society?" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "It surprised me." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this that you wished to speak to me?' have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems which was all perfectly true. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and other means.' "Not particularly." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is trying to your nerves." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "What?" morning." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of some mystery and the punishment of some crime." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "VIOLET HUNTER." been able to understand it, in a very few words. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: nonsense.' of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Was he the only applicant?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good soul! here is her carriage at the door." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black never to learn it at all." bearing upon the case." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Then the page we have seen--" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate that threaten you." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by the coronet in his hand?" heavily into it. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your locked. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Gutenberg-tm License. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house the coronet in his hand?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "No more words. Get out!" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of For additional contact information: and shall probably return to London by the evening train." bare slabs of marble. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Doctor, of the paper and the date." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with were new raised from a basin. "But who is he?" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty details should find their way into the papers. Inspector door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. meant." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Why? What do you mean?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "'I shall certainly be there.' Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute you, my dear young lady?' in one or two places in England?' order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" electronic works the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "I cannot as yet see any connection." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some excitement. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came hour?' mystery!" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in to-night's adventure." "You horrify me!" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes constraint." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, into the bag, and made for the door. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "By no means." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed you in your example." of the vacancies.' old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten