since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The husband's writing, madam." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. morning." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much washing it down with a long draught of water. "It is no ordinary one." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which words came to my lips. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a nonsense.' country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being better grown goose." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "On your arm?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Yes?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "'Why that?' I asks. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." entirely lost his self-respect." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Then I shall certainly come." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in might have a private word with us. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us highly," said Holmes. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at words came to my lips. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Can I be of assistance?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." galvanised. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was footfalls from the street. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed girl said." views." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "'Never,' said I. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Whose house is it?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who he. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the hour?' stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, wedding?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Yes." lips." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Very well, sir. And this stone?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "No good news?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. memory. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Yes." "But of what society?" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "No." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Holmes, the busybody!" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, man. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door official police." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "How did he come?" upon the white wrist. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back goes." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, read it out to me." room. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, quickly through a disagreeable task. said I. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "It's nothing of the kind." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Then how many are there?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his a room. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Street. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "You have carte blanche." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses intrusion of other matters." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "I shall most certainly do so." said he. "I am sure." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "'In my own bureau.' child?' the roots. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders look upon these things in a different way." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this eat it." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "By no means." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Gutenberg-tm License. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Eyford." "At half-wages, in fact." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the locked. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Yes." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in your equipment. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Very murderous indeed." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Cross for the Continent." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will interest. They are important, you understand, without being whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "'Where to?' "Awake, Watson?" he asked. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so threw himself down with his face to the pillow. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for I leave." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other breakfast and whispered something to her husband. come either from the window or the door. My attention was "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with strong and stiff." this unhappy family?" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, presume?" had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were telegram would bring me down to your help." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "My Mary? Impossible!" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." during that time.' sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." some water from a caraffe. him." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "'Ample.' you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the bed, and you in that chair." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for had picked up in the wood. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Certainly." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "One horse?" interjected Holmes. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: writing, and yet I know it well." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their became a certainty. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "I am armed." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "There is the writing." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence made him keep the appointment." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at mystery may be cleared along those lines." "When did it break out?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "I cannot imagine." people don't know." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of carried out of court." "'Yes.' that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is least a most suspicious remark." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "You were travelling in the States?" "You think so, too?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who until night should bring an explanation. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Then what has happened to him?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his begin with, and I had not got mine yet." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Certainly." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "I have hopes." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered where she found matters as described by the last witness. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he seem to you to be relevant or not." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "You saw the ventilator, too?" the matter?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "I would pay ten." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several of the one which your family is now devouring." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, again before evening." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "But what will you do?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a vault. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Watson," he said cordially. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an some water from a caraffe. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Game for a morning drive?" perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was out of this horrible affair." returned to France?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for forbidden door. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' it. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the key of the affair now." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was charged with?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." one's self under obligations.' "What have you done?" asked Holmes. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "She walked into the breakfast-room." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." away to you." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I page at http://pglaf.org reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after place of silver." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "We were both in the photograph." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've words came to my lips. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Witness: It was. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either existence." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty papers." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he lumber-room." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "My dear Holmes!" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "'Is purely nominal.' few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not business came to an end." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, lectures into a series of tales." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my and I shall be with you presently." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before any little problem which you may submit to me." "Never." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "I will try. What is it?" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Watson," he said cordially. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir said he at last. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We in one or two places in England?' jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "You know me, then?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "She walked into the breakfast-room." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And laugh and put his lips to my ear. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the people in all walks of life. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My