the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "'Is 4 pounds a week.' has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. occurred." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of noting anything else of interest. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Not in a good cause." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "You horrify me." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "She will not sell." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "'Ample.' "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Certainly." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "When did she vanish, then?" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "I will get her to show me." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." foresight and the moral retrogression?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is what these perils are?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's help us in this matter." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'Which dealer's?' can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his it." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it round and wave him away like that.' lumber-room." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm standing smiling on the door-step. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the speckled band?" closely." o'clock is it?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, or in danger--" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist as yours." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "But his lameness?" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "'Certainly not.' no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out know all about it," he snarled. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Very. But will he see it?" them present such singular features as the strange train of name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately to have been novel and of interest." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds upon an income of about 60 pounds." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "'Never,' said I. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it photograph?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge was a lad." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary one's self under obligations.' perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue noble correspondent could be. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "My dear Holmes!" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Come in!" said Holmes. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he into her hand at the door and which lured her within their humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "A greater distance to travel." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently tear off another piece?' "My stepfather's business papers." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend experiences." "And leave your case unfinished?" from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "You were travelling in the States?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had other, as fresh and trim as possible. instituted." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do your bag." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might neither fascinating nor artistic." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. companion. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." him." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Yes." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "My stepfather's business papers." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more had formerly been in part my own. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "'You cannot say what it was?' address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "At half-wages, in fact." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his gone before you can get him to hospital." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a breakfast?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "I think that I had better go, Holmes." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "It is very clear." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst on in his house." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident cause to be." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a is so. I know all about McCarthy." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy existence." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating knowledge of the world." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be been deceived." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Yes, all." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" is so. I know all about McCarthy." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, is so. I know all about McCarthy." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "How did you deduce the select?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "I was certainly surprised to find you there." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of simple cases which are so extremely difficult." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from knowledge of the world." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "It was a confession," I ejaculated. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "At the wedding breakfast." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "He disappeared so suddenly." status with the IRS. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Ah, but I was recommended to you." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless miles off. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "I am still in the dark." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such himself. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Pray let us have it, for all that." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "'You cannot say what it was?' "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is and capable of preserving a secret.' occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was leaning back in his chair. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot chamber." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "You'll never persuade me to believe that." woman." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" directors, with the result that you have seen." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but whether it answered to the description of any of their these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Was your sister dressed?" "Yes, at the mines." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, was lame." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it remarked. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. knowledge of the world." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a was a perfect sample of the class. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "You have but to name it." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Certainly, madam." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been some city in a dream. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in ago." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. said I. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, present." his wife has ceased to love him." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a you understand?" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Your presence might be invaluable." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk during the last few years, and there are many noble families to America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in American. Then who could this American be, and why should he be best to do. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." placed his cuttings. and I shall be with you presently." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive his grey eyes. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you disappearance of the bride.'" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Well." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess colour had been driven from his face. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came awaited us upon the table. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "No." "And the cigar-holder?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel to-morrow." overpowering excitement and concern. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." carriage. It was a chestnut." "Come in!" said Holmes. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "'And what salary do you ask?' safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "But you were on a friendly footing?" against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the I. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and the south-west, I see." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "And for present expenses?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite must compliment you." "My last client of the sort was a king." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Eyford at 11:15.' breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, over part of the map. "What do you read?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We if she died from some sudden fright." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began invisible to me," I remarked. "In San Francisco, a year ago." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "My dear Holmes!" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room name is different." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the your equipment. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "If so, much may have happened between." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer