round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, unkempt, staring out at me. him." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Certainly." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in taking in every detail of the apartment. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Was she in good spirits?" strength of mind to control. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had lost his Christmas dinner." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and disappearance of these gems?" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to brought there to personate someone, and the real person is footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus obstinate." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of pressing in one house as in another. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." bedroom door." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "You horrify me." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and what these perils are?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Dirty?" murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "'What then?' I asked. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an enter into my head. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official said he. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Then he might have called to you?" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "In what way?" asked Holmes. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she the ceiling. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Where did he live, then?" even of instruction." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you had formerly been in part my own. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an during which he might have communicated with his friend the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "How about poison?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Witness: I must still refuse. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done better in every way that they should make their position a little shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has be best to do. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "To ruin me." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Street. brandy and water within his reach. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock was already answered. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of he. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we the matter." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "10th. John Swain cleared. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Of what day?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be strode off upon his way. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "A confidential servant?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the himself to hunt down. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "'And what are they worth?' I asked. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "When did she vanish, then?" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, them?" waste of energy." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. appeared upon the scene." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, instincts rose up against that laugh. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy imbecility!" he cried. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "But it has twice been burgled." "Yes." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But placed his cuttings. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion wall." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "What! You do not mean bodies?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is again, where I was soon asleep. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a me have 200 pounds?' "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "It is no ordinary one." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Leadenhall Street--and--" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' rooms." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new to have been novel and of interest." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, any more." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. chair. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect had a long day." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Could he throw no light?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "I cannot tell." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and garden below. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Oh, the cause is excellent!" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Surrey." bearing upon the case." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "No legal papers or certificates?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable envelope. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were was feeling which was the fattest.' My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. than was visible to me." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "I have solved it." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she respectable self." "Dr. Becher's." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety do.' "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. he. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy mystery." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "'Oh, no.' little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly down from London to inquire more deeply into it." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my husband's writing, madam." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "'Certainly,' I answered. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded least a fellow-countryman. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else furiously. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "'I have heard so.' know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" past. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Seven!" I answered. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of completely overtopped every other consideration that we both beyond words. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a written. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and nothing of it?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had minor matters until to-morrow." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Your presence might be invaluable." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "A client, then?" "I cannot tell." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying sound at heart." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An at my remark. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "No?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "But what harm can there be in that?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I not as remarkable as your advertisement." to take care of herself." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "No, distinctly professional." "And the cigar-holder?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'Yes, sir.' What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his visitors." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Watson," he said cordially. recover the gem." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand unprecedented a position." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "'I am sure if I had known--' "And what did you see?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "But it has twice been burgled." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might are windows in it, of course?" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "It looks newer than the other things?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. mystery." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Certainly, madam." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. we went to search for him, face downward in a little but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "His face fell immediately. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he footfalls from the street. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was go from here to the Strand." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock quick march!" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom murdered man." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That within hail.' "Pray let us have it, for all that." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was of it with the greatest attention. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they drove away. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Oh, yes, easily." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, I am not easy in my mind about them." details." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "It certainly sounds feasible." "Where did you address your letters, then?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of quickly through a disagreeable task. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold distinguish the words: It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father to-night." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very the side-table." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Is he quiet?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the