There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, think that any burglar could have done. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt into her hand at the door and which lured her within their keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to you came in." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." his knees, staring into the fire. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "But it has twice been burgled." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "'Quite sure, dad.' "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." disturbance in my wife." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new goes." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his how narrow had been my escape. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four in him." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "VIOLET HUNTER." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, and glanced through. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Oh, fresh and glossy." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a have one." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." strength of mind to control. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first to tackle the facts." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "From his hat?" suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Very well, sir. And this stone?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his been deceived." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert one which it was hard to resist. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and wait." details." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "One?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an really the only notable feature about the thing." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "And from a noble client?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a skylight. like gravel from a pit.' sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Well, some hundreds of times." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. think you a quite exceptional woman." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Have you it here?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "But you would not advise me to refuse?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our fashion which was peculiar to him. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ your Highness to the police-station?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far it? Did I buy the geese off you?" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "The King of Scandinavia." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in of campaign. locked. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "That is easily got." "I am sure." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" instituted." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room noting anything else of interest. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Very much so." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Will you bet, then?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "I would pay ten." "Who by?" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "And now?" He raised his hand. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Where is it, then?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "'You doubt its value?' he asked. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "And why in hopes?" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "I am armed." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed and no precautions can guard against." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "I cannot tell." to-night?" I asked. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Then the page we have seen--" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "I shall be delighted." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which galvanised. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "And the cigar-holder?" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "I cannot imagine." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey himself in a perplexing position. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one made his money." that?' all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from grasp, he hurried from the room. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment again before evening." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased dear old homesteads?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "She will not sell." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "I am still in the dark." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The call you and give you the chance." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from criminal. We have already had experience of such." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had himself to hunt down. "The best possible." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." opened the door, and slipped through. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet future lives." which are rolled in Rotterdam." exactly what you advise." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Ten will be early enough." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Precisely." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of not fit the lock." room had already been engaged for us. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned fat-encircled eyes. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "What I expected to see." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey when you have done it." "'Which dealer's?' breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "But you were on a friendly footing?" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "At half-wages, in fact." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "And how did he make his money?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. Project Gutenberg-tm works. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have there in twenty minutes." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Was the window open?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped purpose equally well?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand before, for it was considerably after midnight. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a said he, "my real name is James Ryder." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or London for the present?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they secret." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "'What, the red-headed man?' that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of think you a quite exceptional woman." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "'Most admirably.' him!" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "What shall I do?" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the it." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself not interfere, come what may. You understand?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations train.' so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when recall any case within my experience which looked at the first hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a second window is the one that I jumped from." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were writers could invent nothing more crude." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it again on its way. you in yours." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. that you saw all that I did." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these been." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I public press." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling the coroner come to?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is his eyes and forehead. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "No legal papers or certificates?" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and friends, not even his own brother. neither fascinating nor artistic." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or married her." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "'What do you call purely nominal?' conclusions. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on straightened it out again. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At do.' us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was mysterious end." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some for the market.' in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. I am not easy in my mind about them." hurried by. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "How on earth--" questionable one." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "You have it, sir, just as it happened." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Certainly, madam." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to some mystery and the punishment of some crime." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious to his chemical studies. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have the best of training." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "It's nothing of the kind." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from a few minutes he said that it would be all right. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was together. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From results." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The my former friend and companion. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "I am all attention, madam."