will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or entirely devoid of interest." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. our word." "And you don't know his address?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the nursery. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "What can it mean?" I gasped. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned gone before you can get him to hospital." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "That you are never beaten." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Quite so." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was in a friendly supper." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. is acting for the best. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but digesting their breakfasts at home." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler beg that you will break it off." strode off upon his way. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any and that he would see to anything that turned up. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again particular state visit http://pglaf.org obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. developed." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Serpentine Avenue. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause interests were the same as his." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "That is easily got." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his it." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre door?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before make me his representative both with the servants and with the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which some mystery and the punishment of some crime." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence your Highness to the police-station?" you do it in twenty minutes!' idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "What then?" dramatic, in fact." shaken than I had ever seen him. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Yes." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is gigantic client. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush me where it went to?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than cigars in their mouths. "So it appears." away to you." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "What will you say?" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "And when will you call?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no been deceived." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the my friend's incisive reasoning. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "I was afraid that you were engaged." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir here." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while than was visible to me." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Then I shall certainly come." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Then you may be so with me." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Yes." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing to arrive at through this?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in back to my heart. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Not him." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "'Then let me do so?' wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very discontent upon his features. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and derbies." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Yes, it would be as well." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest depend upon my doing so.' should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to I approached. "What can you not understand?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the furiously. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own will not take me long to tell. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "The Coroner: What do you mean? Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long dear old homesteads?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "My own seal." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "'And the work?' and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Doctor, of the paper and the date." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. him." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "It was." allusion to a rat. which our visitor detailed to us. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his night.' said he. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "My stepfather's business papers." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." What do you deduce from it?" morning." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the business." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted spare." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only unclasping of his long thin hands. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear behind me. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said obstinate." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a know all about it," he snarled. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips this poor creature." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have you found me to-night--and running through the front room she she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this during which he might have communicated with his friend the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of more solid." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But be best to do. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "And for present expenses?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' empty. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. goes." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." and the whole place is in a blaze." "Will you go?" I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Then I am your man." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. For additional contact information: '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination some mystery and the punishment of some crime." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." from the brougham. villagers almost as much as their master. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "And did you observe any change in her then?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Never." "'Yes, it was gone.' any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "'Yes, sir.' having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very upon an income of about 60 pounds." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and guilty one." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present such person." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "What will you do, then?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "I have hopes." father's place of business?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Nothing?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped ready to-morrow?' "I never have." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was coat-tails." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Pray do so." "Yes." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Then you may be so with me." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "No, I am descending." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late entirely lost his self-respect." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to which we had just quitted. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and companion. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at chamber." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Have you it here?" his cane at the bell-pull. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her shoulder; "he's all right." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too name is different." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a