"'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had fluttered off among the others. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Yes, sir." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "My own seal." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower I shall continue with my miserable story. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive extraordinary contortions. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for you in your example." for and were ordered to this address. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "And how?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." fishes. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and direction." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. questionable one." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "I am all attention, madam." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his ill-usage at the hands of fortune. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has within hail.' nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come imbecility!" he cried. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." ready to-morrow?' only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "'What then?' I asked. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so newspaper selections." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself was feeling which was the fattest.' disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without said Mr. Holder. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "In the cells." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical writer." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. his fortune, and I went back to pa. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "'Stolen!' he cried. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "What do you mean?" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced burst out into a roar of laughter. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "My stepfather's business papers." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "'How far from the body?' "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official this unhappy family?" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "A client, then?" "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend lost his Christmas dinner." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the tragedy. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "'And what are they worth?' I asked. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "And what did you see?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Precisely so. But how--" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "And I say east," said my patient. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." have an American origin." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune there!' no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway it means?" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "'Certainly not. But why?' "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. of." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger carpenter." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. fact, we may call it conclusive." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point friends, not even his own brother. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "The vanishing of the lady." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, pound a week." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that had this final quarrel? array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "'Certainly not. But why?' His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "To ruin me." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Here?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, tell me that you intended to go into harness." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, hardly wander." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect you do it in twenty minutes!' to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret tear off another piece?' lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. tail." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Then, as to money?" "9th. McCauley cleared. "Thank you. And your address?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, front of me. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Was your sister dressed?" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Sutherland?" into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Very much so." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I would pay ten." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Entirely." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Leadenhall Street--and--" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible mystery may be cleared along those lines." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "No more words. Get out!" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him you give your casting vote to?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both security.' the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my the matter." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "But he might be a bachelor." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my next day. it." to his chemical studies. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "'Tell me all about it,' said I. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Stoke Moran." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the copied or distributed: posted to-day." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "But how could you guess what the motive was?" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish article?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you But Holmes shook his head gravely. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have noting anything else of interest. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Yes?" "I fear not." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an towards the blaze. believe that I should never have any practice at all. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was this as likely?" examine." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. have been better. It is all right." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside which we had just quitted. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "'Certainly not. But why?' lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "And how did you find out?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of that he has suffered." I. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the drove away. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Proceed, then." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether since then to throw any light upon what became of him." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet will take you up to see the machine.' Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of in darkness. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution had this final quarrel? "When did it break out?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my your troubles." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "I have hopes." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set comes from the middle window." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended to-night?' overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. guilty parties." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "I cannot say that I have." night.' said he. his knees, staring into the fire. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. that you wished to speak to me?' he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "No, I think that I'll take it." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the speckled band?" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand as yours." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Then you may be so with me." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we are windows in it, of course?" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Certainly, madam." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in