"Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Was she in good spirits?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on For additional contact information: "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, directors, with the result that you have seen." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE with some details as to your case." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine made him keep the appointment." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "BALLARAT." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and conceal it?" round and wave him away like that.' think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I highly," said Holmes. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several danger is over." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "It is half-past ten now." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both the Friday. Was it to be in church?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." just called myself is not exactly my own." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the affection." the station." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "It was an hour's good drive." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Which are?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if secret." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing nights." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." system of imprisonment?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much think that he is innocent?" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "On your arm?" that you can jump it.' Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Not I." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "And I." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at geese which you supplied to the Alpha." what these perils are?" tear off another piece?' wife's character?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and paper in the air. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my horse could go." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an and glanced through. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you of the efforts of the United States government and of the better while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity and the whole place is in a blaze." that threaten you." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution do." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of province." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker grasp, he hurried from the room. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "May I see it?" "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Breckinridge is his name." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with hard-headed British jury." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in minor matters until to-morrow." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, get the tickets." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. never to learn it at all." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the companion. happened." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the Assizes." the coroner come to?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it felt?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Never to return." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Then you may entirely rely on me." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of once more. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up side. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we photograph?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and kindly on the shoulder. "Nearly eleven." to-night." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "What, then, did Peterson do?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and highroad, where all traces were lost. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a http://gutenberg.net/license). their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual success. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over system of imprisonment?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Dirty?" sneer upon his pale face. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn the salesman. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "And from a noble client?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. him. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Why serious?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I will find little credit to be gained out of this case." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a place of silver." invisible to me," I remarked. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "But to whom?" flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "From his hat?" asked. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and business came to an end." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back walking." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to Serpentine Avenue. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to the little opening for the ventilator is." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "We were both in the photograph." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" manager. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly very morning of my second wedding." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Who was the criminal, then?" heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Very much so." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "I am still in the dark." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that ceremony." if only as a check to my own memory." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project business?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. bearing upon the case." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "But what will you do?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he his face. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Was your sister dressed?" crackling voice. "I am following you closely," I answered. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "I say it is." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, the window, rose as we entered. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss and the colonel ushered me in. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary upon the white wrist. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt name is different." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I overpowering excitement and concern. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "It is very kind of you." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "At half-wages, in fact." will not take me long to tell. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "BALLARAT." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your think that any burglar could have done. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our obstinate." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "That is easily got." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "I was mad--insane." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put do.' outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits the inner apartment." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "The gentleman I describe." "But she could not love him." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have back to my heart. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he how narrow had been my escape. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. call the police, let the police find what they can.' "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." your equipment. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an the very letters. But what is this written above them?' the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free sneer upon his pale face. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity him to be an active member of the medical profession." on in his house." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Dr. Becher's." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will served to weaken the effect. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all husband's writing, madam." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the maid will bring up your coffee." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not during that time.' room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side putting in the horse. "Yes." is worth.' chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I heavy and sharp instrument." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless which our visitor detailed to us. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the I approached. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I said he, "my real name is James Ryder." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one