the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "It is possible." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his introspective fashion. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "But who is he?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard appeal." we went to search for him, face downward in a little prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "I cannot say that I have." the best of training." "An enemy?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that charge against him will break down." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a see me here to avoid scandal." "Then I can wait in the next room." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would will be renamed. "What do you mean?" garden below. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was it means?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. that you saw all that I did." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "But how?" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window affection." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a one which it was hard to resist. leaning back in his chair. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in it right.' the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method roused himself from his reverie. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "What shall I do?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. orange pips. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort crime. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your washing it down with a long draught of water. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Holmes' room. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' promised to bring home. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the interested in these little problems, and since you are good of your young ladies.' mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I am still in the dark." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his hair?' the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "But you have hopes?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Yes, certainly." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "'There is a drive, then?' clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a I. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "To an end?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a since then to throw any light upon what became of him." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "The landlord of the Alpha." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Very much so." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if particular state visit http://pglaf.org by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they seven miles from Eyford Station.' Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Yes, sir." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain desk. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "May I see it?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project chance." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with very morning of my second wedding." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers gentleman's clothes. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the house with me." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make if only as a check to my own memory." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. away to you." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is wedding?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness individual and becomes the badge of a society." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring clanging. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Then I shall certainly come." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client back to my heart. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." upon the shelf for the interim." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "It is his hat." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "What will you do, then?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. good for you to do.' Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Young McCarthy must be got off, however." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from whereabouts. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," learned something! Where are the gems?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Nothing." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying views." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "You think so, too?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with bedroom door." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "'I am sure that I do not know.' happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the room?" figure." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of if she died from some sudden fright." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "My opinion is in no way altered." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Here?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from that the gas is not laid on in his house?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little in. Leadenhall Street--and--" papers diligently of late, have you not?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up for securing the situation." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Married! When?" one of the states of the Union." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was this man was intellectual?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous ways of our fellow-men." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," enough to aid us in our search." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "You horrify me." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a one or two very singular points about this room. For example, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Munro.' and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely promised to bring home. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the off." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to she slowly sank and died without having recovered her the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with and that he would see to anything that turned up. as this. Pray let me have the details." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Again Holmes raved in the air. "It is possible." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length intrusion of other matters." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin to have been novel and of interest." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest of Mr. Rucastle's." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "It goes to the housekeeper's room." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for to his chemical studies. papers." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "I have hopes." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." villagers almost as much as their master. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. were wasted." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it she might be summoned. Stoke Moran." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "But how will you look?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a pound a week." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "'Then let me do so?' When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Ten will be early enough." Holmes. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "That is not always so easy." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an new duties?' as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "No legal papers or certificates?" "10th. John Swain cleared. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Arthur Conan Doyle in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "And help." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such written. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, important." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Well, but China?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very again before evening." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Yes, sir." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Has he come with you to-night?" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I eat it." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "And how did he make his money?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything McCarthy's innocence. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Yes." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "I warn you that they are very incomplete." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "In the cells." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the over here." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out even so self-evident a thing as that." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a shaken than I had ever seen him. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of stammered. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "An enemy?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "What have you to say now?" have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Well, but China?" "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "'There is a drive, then?' It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "What! Had he lost his wife?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and as noiselessly as she had come. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "I will, Miss Turner." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a me have 200 pounds?' Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to his knees, staring into the fire. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to down in his armchair and closing his eyes. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but if I call to-morrow?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "No." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been knowledge of the world." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was at once, for I have only half an hour." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no stepfather?" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, and effective." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Upon what point?" answer." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "'You cannot say what it was?' surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late himself to hunt down. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "The vanishing of the lady." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other went to the Alpha were town bred." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. chance." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Which key was used to open it?" he asked.