however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some call it cruel." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Come in!" said Holmes. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "I should wish to." "And now?" He raised his hand. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been looking up at the numbers of the houses." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "And what then?" October 9, 1890. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There vanished into the darkness. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Who by?" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was closing the door. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Then the page we have seen--" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." it with his own hands." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the three of the beryls in it, was missing. "And I." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried prove to be little relation between the different incidents of problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Yes." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the asked. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. woman." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other over part of the map. "What do you read?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon quick march!" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had had formerly been in part my own. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Of what day?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good it." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I weary and pale-looking. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in danger is over." signal between you and your father? know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "On your arm?" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the fear." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "He said that you could solve anything." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "I cannot tell." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the in darkness. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there him and tried to hold him back. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his arrested. You then--" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain prove to be little relation between the different incidents of him to be an active member of the medical profession." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged when you have done it." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "At half-wages, in fact." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he was used.' It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a villagers almost as much as their master. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "What then?" eat it." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "None." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as interest. They are important, you understand, without being "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Well?" "I am about to be married." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Holmes." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is learned something! Where are the gems?" more solid." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Lee, in the county of Kent." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, touch that coronet?' red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." it means?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "On your arm?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "But he might be a bachelor." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "'Yes, I promise.' drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Yes." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "'Certainly,' I answered. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." other means.' idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "And now?" I asked. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close looking up at the numbers of the houses." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they conduct the inquiry." used to be." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, do.' "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "9th. McCauley cleared. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "The gentleman I describe." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to said I. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. and put his glass in his pocket. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "I cannot think." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small yourselves in at night?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. galvanised. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his the dangers which encompass me." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem made his money." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he that I can to serve you." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small in this note: "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "I guessed as much." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him easy-going way." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to do." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower not fit the lock." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a present." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "'Very good.' struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate habit of advancing money.' until night should bring an explanation. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Leadenhall Street--and--" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It returned to France?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under problems help me to do so." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which him and tried to hold him back. problems help me to do so." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "I cannot imagine." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was fattened it expressly for you.' the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "What do you mean?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to and your relations to her." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were forebodings. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "'Never,' said I. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Seven!" I answered. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler definite end. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Then, how do you know?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Why serious?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a had picked up in the wood. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon pity, because in other respects you would really have done very sake, don't!" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Of Friday, June 19th." "You horrify me!" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time less than 26s. 4d. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at as he folded up the epistle. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Then you may be so with me." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Holmes' room. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight the date of his supposed suicide." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way are windows in it, of course?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, cigars in their mouths. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by upon the sideboard." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. man. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. questionable one." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "But you have hopes?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Was he the only applicant?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another the roots. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key Sutherland. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "The vanishing of the lady." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "She walked into the breakfast-room." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "You think so, too?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Mary, has deserted me." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of kindly on the shoulder. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Then, as to money?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "You forget that I know nothing about it." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the something of him before." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "But how could you guess what the motive was?" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he he bowed and left the room without another word. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always relation between them, and what the object of his repeated making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE used to be." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to beyond words. situation." strength of mind to control. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up