"And how in the world did you find them?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "And you don't know his address?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Yesterday." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their very morning of my second wedding." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "I will do it." sufficient punishment." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Texas, I think." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, my secret was safe in his possession. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "He might." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. acquaintance?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in been shamefully used." gives a meaning to it." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what occurred." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. works. See paragraph 1.E below. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up strode off upon his way. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Yes." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a definite end. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "My opinion is in no way altered." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a crackling voice. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "I am about to be married." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would ashen face. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "He disappeared so suddenly." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you cause to be." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was chambers. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had fire. You quite follow me?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. back into the street. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Was your sister dressed?" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in your troubles." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the invisible to me," I remarked. "I beg pardon." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Ten will be early enough." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? down in his armchair and closing his eyes. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father companion imperturbably. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it chance at all." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "You heard nothing yourself last night?" simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she more solid." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Do you receive much company?" he asked. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your good for you to do.' drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little she might be summoned. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the my former friend and companion. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "'Never,' said I. public press." thirty. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Yes." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened to talk it over. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "And when will you call?" "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel been with you?" to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "One of the highest in England." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It shag which I had seen upon the previous night. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "But you have hopes?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough was it brought him the coronet? inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with interested in these little problems, and since you are good "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Yes." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "How often?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He invisible to me," I remarked. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own his eyes and forehead. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me enter into my head. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, everything which you would wish to know." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the you?' tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should that you wished to speak to me?' our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a when your master had gone out." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that His name is Francis Prosper." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in said he. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in which should have the effect of calling the attention of the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? happened." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards jewels which you have stolen?' was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' vault. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and congratulate you again." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "I think it very unlikely." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "I say that I have solved it." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud secret." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a guilty parties." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest to have been novel and of interest." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Not social, then?" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. are windows in it, of course?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with to a more successful conclusion." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." about here speaks of his kindness to him." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "And the murderer?" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes outside. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been indeed happy." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, could not have written that. It is the German who is so now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger said he at last. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the unkempt, staring out at me. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the asked. "And how have you succeeded?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "A call for help, you thought?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "The best possible." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "And did you observe any change in her then?" into the bag, and made for the door. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned have established a very serious case against the son of the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw to you." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Proceed, then." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We good-night and bustled off upon her way. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said despair." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. people don't know." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" for its centre. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was me what he had done with the three missing stones. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But bachelor.' "My stepfather's business papers." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have Holmes' face clouded over. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Not particularly." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "But you would not advise me to refuse?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is that I am arrested." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "No sign of it?" "How did you deduce the select?" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his against a man in the prime of life?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "I think that it is very probable." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man dead, shall be safe with us." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Well." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." asked. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Nearly eleven." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to of the vacancies.' security.' "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I to affect your life." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "I have a cab outside." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and the coronet in his hands?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. quickly through a disagreeable task. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. his wife has ceased to love him." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to It was close upon four before the door opened, and a me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "One of his hands." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Very much so." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Only as much as we can deduce." into the room. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "But I have heard all that you have heard." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Who by?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of and have this put in the evening papers." or other trace. But how on earth--" clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "That sounds a little paradoxical." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that fatally injured? skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot