ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Proceed, then." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "You horrify me!" "It was." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir photograph?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would dates and names. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. said I. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Where did he live, then?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in once more for Briony Lodge. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had to change my dress. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you one or two very singular points about this room. For example, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "The doctor?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a started for the Temple to see my husband. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "'And the work?' carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three the salesman. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." recover the gem." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "You have compromised yourself seriously." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner fled together." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. nights." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you correct than the official force." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire read it out to me." "So I am. Very much so." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Where, then, is my wife?" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at any little problem which you may submit to me." "It is his hat." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must whole matter to your consideration." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "To an end?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be you came in." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout any." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an awaited us upon the table. get the tickets." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six hereditary King of Bohemia." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll photograph a cabinet?" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and unclasping of his long thin hands. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the nonsense.' "How did he come?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said vague figure huddled up in the darkness. some water from a caraffe. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Where did he live, then?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips that he has suffered." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so directors have had misgivings upon the subject." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." when your master had gone out." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my with you?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me vague figure huddled up in the darkness. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the feature." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Gutenberg-tm License. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to the coronet at all injured?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is matter." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a never to learn it at all." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which me upon any point which I do not make clear." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." call for it in person on Monday morning.' "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction acquaintance?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Ha! you find it so?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "That is also quite modern," said the lady. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not here and I will read it to you: hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "What can it mean?" I gasped. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain nothing of it?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for do.' "Then I can wait in the next room." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice introspective fashion. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Imitated." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "I am armed." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. I have it here in my museum." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are have got?" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, at my remark. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon coroner's jury." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider be. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Yes, certainly." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the overpowering excitement and concern. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a it means?" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round had this final quarrel? "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the quite distinctive." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable unkempt, staring out at me. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "The rest you will leave in our hands." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. little trying to do so much typewriting?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Certainly." "It surprised me." train.' "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. emerged. "And your father? Did you tell him?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with would then never go into court at all." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" in him." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "It certainly sounds feasible." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "The landlord of the Alpha." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "And why?" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Miss Holder?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "By no means." you, my dear young lady?' former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his recall any case within my experience which looked at the first rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "It is very clear." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." least a most suspicious remark." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual interests were the same as his." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears himself to tell his story. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a my special province." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "No, but the enclosure is." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was reach." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom experiences." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "How did that help you?" closely." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off her also." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business key of the affair now." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Were they all fastened this morning?" would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure was feeling which was the fattest.' "It is his hat." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "'Yes, sir.' dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' promised to bring home. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Eyford at 11:15.' took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her been shamefully used." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "'As governess?' why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "How did you deduce the select?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a clang of the bell. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "What?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your voice. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. lost his Christmas dinner." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "It is half-past ten now." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "VIOLET HUNTER." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Pray do so." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the purpose of examination. reach." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most could not account in any way for the presence of the missing quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with intrusion of other matters." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, introspective fashion. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his business." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank back to my heart. "And for present expenses?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it had a long day." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two he died? brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a thin legs towards the fire. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" when you have done it." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was was not a bird to be seen there. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr.