it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be how narrow had been my escape. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & jewels which you have stolen?' sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Which surely he restored to their owner?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever row." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' death." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, redistribution. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a The summons was a brief and urgent one. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "But she could not love him." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, derbies." window when the police appeared." your most interesting statement." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the this remarkable episode. rat could hardly pass through." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang upon a handsome competence. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few three fields round his house, and there he would take his "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "What! a murderous attack?" "Thank you. And your address?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "'About the same.' where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go bare slabs of marble. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "No bad?" horse could go." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Yes, but only for you and me." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the Red-headed League." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "You are certainly joking, Holmes." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an tail." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have remarked. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the have established a very serious case against the son of the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "A confidential servant?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "I don't believe it." I held the little printed slip to the light. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is writers could invent nothing more crude." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "'Never,' said I. "No more words. Get out!" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. is now desirous of getting those letters back." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each grasp, he hurried from the room. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the driver. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "She will not sell." over here." father's young wife. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. your Highness to the police-station?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "That is it on the dressing-table." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "What then?" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "It came here." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "You did not overhear what they said?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "My last client of the sort was a king." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "And how did you verify them?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but disturbance in my wife." voice. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated must be when I saw the door open.' light and attacked it." "No bad?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously take the flies, but not before." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "The Coroner: What do you mean? upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in companion imperturbably. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "'No, I know no one in these parts.' police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first invisible to me," I remarked. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Yes, sir." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. wanted for ourselves." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan it. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no opportunities to fix the problem. should be taken.' tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Very truly yours, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had returned to France?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our The police have openly confessed that they can at present make from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "And you thought he was pulled back?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just a little more before I quite committed myself. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "'And what salary do you ask?' fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Here?" matter over." done what I asked you, Jones?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day cost them two and thirty pounds." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private this poor creature." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated sooner or later she must fall a victim. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." strength in the others." crowd. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is tell them apart.' "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and disappearance of these gems?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular to surprise her." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "You know me, then?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "None." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, there is a decided draught." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, shall not find me ungrateful." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "None." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as was once confined in the cab my mission was practically passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "'I am sure that I do not know.' I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the date of his supposed suicide." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a a very grave face. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "'Most admirably.' families. Now for the facts. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the gone before you can get him to hospital." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Quite so." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are business in the City. She little knew what. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You side. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper said he. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper directors have had misgivings upon the subject." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the waste of energy." "Have you it here?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "I am all attention, madam." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. this remarkable episode. "Precisely so. But how--" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, absorbing." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This out." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind have one." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "And sit in the dark?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but an introduction to him?" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her upon the white wrist. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "He said that you could solve anything." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "I never have." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "I am sure." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and you in yours." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where dead, shall be safe with us." "No, but the enclosure is." room. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this locked. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural that I may have something better before very many minutes are the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! you, my dear young lady?' "Was he the only applicant?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. some terrible trap for her." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of outbreak?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for despair." to-night's adventure." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "It was an hour's good drive." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Pray be precise as to details," said he. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself coroner's jury." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would you came in." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Certainly." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George official police." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Certainly." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "'Certainly not. But why?' voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that be sorry for having acted so harshly." least a most suspicious remark." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the so-precious time, but come!' Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Witness: Nothing definite. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. me." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem hurried away. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "I came to find a friend."