"It is very kind of you." few hundred pounds.' the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. presume?" purpose equally well?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the question," said Holmes, smiling. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Yes, certainly." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Bought." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Quite so. She has her freedom." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Not him." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and tell them apart.' the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang noble correspondent could be. "'I am sure if I had known--' burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "I am all attention, madam." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite meant." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "From his hat?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "No, thank goodness, she did not." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. a suggestive one." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Yes, I have one waiting." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face details." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Her father is very rich?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the I nodded again. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Was she in good spirits?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in there!' "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if some terrible trap for her." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "What can it mean?" I gasped. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the to-night's adventure." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my think that he is innocent?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official success. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an point in the dark hollow of his hand. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "I say it is." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my brandy and water within his reach. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "But I have heard all that you have heard." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Surrey." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are The telegram which we eventually received came late one night main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have views." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "You are hungry," I remarked. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "'I have already given you my word.' McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and cause to be." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." up this clue while it is still hot." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "No bad?" "None." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very as he remarks, very much against the son." night.' said he. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "'Ten to two.' "'What are you doing there?' he asked. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father out." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), husband's writing, madam." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a nights." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come I shall continue with my miserable story. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always very old mansion. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" power." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "10th. John Swain cleared. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Witness: Nothing definite. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "You are hungry," I remarked. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a following enigmatical notices: "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Can I be of assistance?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. him to be an active member of the medical profession." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little feature." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, not use it unless it is absolutely needed." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if highroad, where all traces were lost. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Pool. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always your bag." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE weighed down with some great anxiety. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly wall." Holmes." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "It must be recovered." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "You don't mind breaking the law?" me." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "This concluded the examination of the witness." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "'You cannot say what it was?' "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a fuss that is made over them." not personally threatened." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Why serious?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House yourselves in at night?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable is entirely a question of barometric pressure." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and kind enough to tell me what I should do." to change my dress. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds my secret was safe in his possession. tear off another piece?' "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." one else, I think." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in a little more before I quite committed myself. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." outbreak?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and bedroom door." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open over here." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle again on its way. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already clanging. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "She walked into the breakfast-room." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she tension within him. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" delirious. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John your equipment. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. less than 26s. 4d. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "And how in the world did you find them?" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" infinite languor in his face. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I fish-monger and a tide-waiter." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "But I am all in the dark." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you open." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Yes." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, villagers almost as much as their master. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Oh, yes, easily." to-night." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a would apply.' in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "But she will refuse." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to points in connection with it which never have been, and probably admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the retorted upon me, and I on you." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold at my remark. it were putty." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, returned to France?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or into the bag, and made for the door. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring http://gutenberg.net/license). made his money." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "What, then, did Peterson do?" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "'Yes, sir.' and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of front of the hall door has given its name to the place. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "No, but the enclosure is." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "But what will you do?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "'Never.' said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his crackling voice. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "My dear Holmes!" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "I have hopes." your only hope of safety." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." tension within him. the house with me." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his speckled band?" "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the power." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "That is possible." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my giving me time to thank him. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed