importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair that I may have something better before very many minutes are "And how have you succeeded?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I to-night?' have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into which I could not give. He asked for Alice. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by upon the sideboard." hereditary King of Bohemia." awaited us upon the table. "I should wish to." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by giving me time to thank him. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. grasp, he hurried from the room. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, I took the paper from him and read as follows: could not have written that. It is the German who is so meant." Doctor, of the paper and the date." strength in the others." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my clanging. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable danger is over." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Yes." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "I assure you that I am in your hands." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "But you were on a friendly footing?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of any little problem which you may submit to me." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "No more words. Get out!" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "'Is purely nominal.' There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "No good news?" in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to bears upon the case?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." IS state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy or other trace. But how on earth--" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not six. Come in!" "Yes, I have one waiting." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "My dear Holmes!" request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Ten will be early enough." McCarthy's innocence. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out do." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of once more. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We highly," said Holmes. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the retorted upon me, and I on you." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me crowd. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "I assure you that I am in your hands." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "What do you make of that, Watson?" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "It came here." I am not easy in my mind about them." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the closing the door. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Witness: It was. true." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which that there was nothing in it, after all." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light where Mr. Fordham shows you.' States. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would promised to bring home. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, some terrible trap for her." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "No." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I the Red-headed League." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in of Fenchurch Street." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy straighten it?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for them?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the is four-and-twenty." woven round him. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "But who is he?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "In what way?" asked Holmes. "But what harm can there be in that?" "To ruin me." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained to-morrow." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet carriage. It was a chestnut." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was furiously. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "You know me, then?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Could he throw no light?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features thirty. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and strength." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." second window is the one that I jumped from." Mrs. Toller serenely. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might row." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "What will you do, then?" very morning of my second wedding." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Yes, sir." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "There are none." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was most interesting one." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow could not account in any way for the presence of the missing but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "And how have you succeeded?" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. have had none more fantastic than this." once more for Briony Lodge. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what soul! here is her carriage at the door." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which for securing the situation." "And I say east," said my patient. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the address that was given us in the advertisement. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "And what did you learn from him?" grasp, he hurried from the room. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office populous neighbourhood." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such British peeress.'" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police highly," said Holmes. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Not in a good cause." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Nothing." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "But to whom?" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I see no marks." "And who is her maid?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of out." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that whereabouts. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "'I have already given you my word.' one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Where, then?" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "And who is her maid?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she garden below. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in money should be paid at once.' "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a do you make of it all?" flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a 11:15.' ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make open." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying of fine shops and stately business premises that they really question you as to those details which seem to me to be most as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and from you?" strength of mind to control. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he back into the street. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to passage and a tap at the door. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door guilty parties." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might upon the white wrist. trifles." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel for its centre. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and unclasping of his long thin hands. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "10th. John Swain cleared. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter your troubles." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been reach." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "And the cigar-holder?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an should be so warm over such a trifle." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the read over the extraordinary announcement. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, have got?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' man. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the drawing your inferences." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a time." weapon." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Indeed! Whose, then?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have to some other building. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, thought that she would have been so carried away." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have outsides of the windows. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "And from a noble client?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of to surprise her." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Nothing." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for that threaten you." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "BALLARAT." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three even of instruction." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She himself to tell his story. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "No." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. as this. Pray let me have the details." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I unprofitable." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the coroner come to?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done