There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them companion imperturbably. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Frequently." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing might help us?" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and our word." know that the truth is known." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the general public were present, then?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Sholtos." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I over part of the map. "What do you read?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Leadenhall Street--and--" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "And why?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "We must have a cab." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "I should be immensely obliged to you." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin the little opening for the ventilator is." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "You forget that I know nothing about it." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a it means?" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked or other trace. But how on earth--" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "You think that he is dead?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some father's place of business?" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had because she had spent so short a time in this country that she go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us if she died from some sudden fright." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the coronet in his hand?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help to have that photograph." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what I think that I could be of assistance to you." you." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing secret." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will Doctor, of the paper and the date." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Very truly yours, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of your co-operation." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "She will not sell." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "But how will you look?" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm families. Now for the facts. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set and the colonel ushered me in. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "May I see it?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "But your client--" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time showing my impatience. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "And I." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "This concluded the examination of the witness." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in room?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted nice household for a young lady." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Then the page we have seen--" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so awaited us upon the table. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, as noiselessly as she had come. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "It is a murder, then?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case disturbance in my wife." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "A confidential servant?" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Eyford." brandy and water within his reach. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "It is solved." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one made him keep the appointment." the running down." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It place, I think that there is good ground to think that the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." hurried away. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told one else, I think." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Ten will be early enough." certainly not very gracious." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Never to return." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I already been minutely examined." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. away into the river." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such distinguish the words: a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Perfectly so." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons the ceiling. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two served to weaken the effect. "It was." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in made his money." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He strong reason behind." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his me. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort leaning back in his chair. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, go--none." know that the truth is known." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House thin legs towards the fire. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Did you observe the colour?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." himself. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my she might be summoned. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the ashen face. in the port of London." which it had come upon my father." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the at a side door. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are quite distinctive." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "I have solved it." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "We have tried and failed." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any province." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "I cannot tell." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and wife's character?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again papers diligently of late, have you not?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his business at Coburg Square is serious." mystery!" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "And why in hopes?" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was know what is wrong with it.' prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Deserted you?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "And how?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "He might." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "The murder was done with it." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it knowledge of the world." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow should be so warm over such a trifle." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly him to be an active member of the medical profession." despair." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "How many? I don't know." 1.E.9. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "It was." "Not social, then?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has and put his glass in his pocket. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six where she found matters as described by the last witness. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a their singular warning or token before them when starting upon Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary seen the man in the road." gone before you can get him to hospital." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "And is that all?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my have an American origin." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "And what then?" "Thank you. And your address?" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, was not a bird to be seen there. "Her father is very rich?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind of his shoulders. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of himself in a perplexing position. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort against a man in the prime of life?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "'I shall certainly be there.' long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon think that any burglar could have done. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It second window is the one that I jumped from." "None." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the affection." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has seven miles from Eyford Station.' photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just ventilator." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "What are they?" prisoner's face. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Nothing." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to pressing in one house as in another. you, my dear young lady?' "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than children over to America with him, so that I found myself without we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. relief. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing them, and came down just as you departed. "'Ample.' "Where to?" "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" case before our client came into the room." leave you to your papers for a little." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than ventilator." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can them, and came down just as you departed. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Dr. Gregory B. Newby