would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "What will you say?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Oh, fresh and glossy." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Then you may entirely rely on me." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness trying to your nerves." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to remarked. to-morrow." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their showing my impatience. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you away into the river." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a I have it here in my museum." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Yes." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "I shall be delighted." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as is entirely a question of barometric pressure." business came to an end." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's at a side door. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "My Mary? Impossible!" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "My opinion is in no way altered." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have that he will be back before evening." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, became a certainty. Again Holmes raved in the air. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you said I. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Do you receive much company?" he asked. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Precisely." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might the little opening for the ventilator is." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "My Mary? Impossible!" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "A client, then?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless prepare for the new role I have to play." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, voice. 11:15.' "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful not within a twentieth part of the market price." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a subject to the trademark license, especially commercial who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "You have but to name it." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we walking." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "She told me to ask you." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I obstinate." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there bird of prey. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Yes, it was twisted." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell arrested. You then--" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "I will do it." overpowering excitement and concern. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing voice. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid ago." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "I am armed." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "What are they?" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences to-night." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the King without delay." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Was he the only applicant?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still appeal." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and breakfast and whispered something to her husband. that you can jump it.' son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "You are certainly joking, Holmes." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "But he might be a bachelor." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly anything to a woman, for she would have her way." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time past. just called myself is not exactly my own." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all of your young ladies.' "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "It may not come to that," said Holmes. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the dead, shall be safe with us." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from you came in." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "None." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Your sister is dead, then?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than could gather together that I was able to avert another public upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for pound a week." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I completely overtopped every other consideration that we both with her." your co-operation." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall to me. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point experiences." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "'I am sure if I had known--' wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed generous with you in money matters.' "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance you?' better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "How on earth--" "Game for a morning drive?" photograph?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but call it cruel." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "What steps will you take?" I asked. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" friend's singular character. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to at my remark. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding charge against him will break down." someone who had been in Australia." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel that he will be back before evening." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham that threaten you." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "May I see it?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my over his head with a sweet womanly caress. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was digesting their breakfasts at home." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This felt?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "And how did he make his money?" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she must be when I saw the door open.' "My own seal." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his like that before?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "And Miss Sutherland?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom people in all walks of life. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the conclusions. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called my friend's incisive reasoning. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." for and were ordered to this address. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her this remarkable episode. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now enter Dr. Roylott's room." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be been with you?" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." visitors." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking allusion to a rat. I am not easy in my mind about them." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of fait accompli?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "It's nothing of the kind." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be during that time.' anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies simple cases which are so extremely difficult." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman to take care of herself." the best of training." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged the best of training." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. and your relations to her." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "But not more so than I to find you." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "No." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Then how many are there?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having call the police, let the police find what they can.' I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his straightened it out again. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the tragedy. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Deserted you?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Literary Archive Foundation whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to guilty parties." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they distinguish the words: "You are hungry," I remarked. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, call you and give you the chance." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his green of the new foliage. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and what is your own theory as to what took place?" Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn this remarkable episode. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, head. So long, then!" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window leave you to your papers for a little." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "What I expected to see." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to my little problems."