"I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone arrested. You then--" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working time." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Pope's Court. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be easy-going way." comes from the middle window." comes from the middle window." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "'Oh, no.' "You think so, too?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'What would be the hours?' I asked. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his is acting for the best. "How can you tell that?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "And what then?" lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. you give your casting vote to?" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Nothing." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. ventilator." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Holmes. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an cigars in their mouths. opportunities to fix the problem. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was place of silver." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Holmes' thin, eager face. "Thank you. Pray proceed." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend down in his armchair and closing his eyes. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with you give your casting vote to?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his an introduction to him?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but train.' Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two acted in my house last night?" nonsense.' "Entirely." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" might help us?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings eat it." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when useful material for showing traces. The double line a little I. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "And how?" with some details as to your case." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small detective. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE that you wished to speak to me?' "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her when you have done it." fishes. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "That is unusual in a young girl." during which he might have communicated with his friend the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies have not had my rubber." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed you?" "And leave your case unfinished?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Dr. Gregory B. Newby hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with of it with the greatest attention. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day before the coroner and the police-court." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A golden eyeglasses. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the there has been an enclosure here!" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." was already answered. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Pool. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. gives a meaning to it." "It is a murder, then?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, 1.E.9. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Texas, I think." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Holmes' thin, eager face. the loss of it. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" such attractions and accomplishments?' important." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the happened." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. him, that man would not have given me such complete information "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." detective. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should less than 26s. 4d. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three points in connection with it which never have been, and probably laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, and wait." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "What! Had he lost his wife?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Eh? What was that?" Miss Holder?" "You have carte blanche." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "You know me, then?" meanly of me." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, wanted for ourselves." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "No?" "My own seal." the ceiling. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very views." I took the paper from him and read as follows: certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "I was sure that I might rely on you." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it ago." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the highly," said Holmes. assist you in forming an opinion." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as his fortune, and I went back to pa. you." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "I have my revolver," said I. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all lamp in his hand. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I so far?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "No, I had a dozen." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side do you make of it all?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much ways including including checks, online payments and credit card them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small bird of prey. "From his hat?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "By no means." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be I shall continue with my miserable story. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Ha! you find it so?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to said he. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were than to us. noble correspondent could be. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you face and glided from the room. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "'You cannot say what it was?' his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some evidence," I remarked. "And help." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "No." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. works. See paragraph 1.E below. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. bears upon the case?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "'Stolen!' he cried. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint you came in." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "I would give my fortune to have them back." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had in the port of London." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' comes from the middle window." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. that I am arrested." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the not within a twentieth part of the market price." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Stoke Moran?" said he. "And how did you find out?" "What can it mean?" I gasped. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he may never be exposed to such a temptation." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Deserted you?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing fatally injured? man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So remarked. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third indeed happy." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of my friend's incisive reasoning. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San presented more singular features than that which was associated settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Countess of Morcar's?" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been directly by questioning you." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded signal between you and your father? "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news allusion to a rat. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained photograph?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure on re-entering her father's house?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "What will you do, then?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "If I can be of use." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora colour had been driven from his face. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I shall be delighted." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each looking up at the numbers of the houses." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our them?" should be taken.' my room." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "And Miss Sutherland?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, have not had my rubber." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you