"Why did you beat the pavement?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin himself. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Perhaps I have." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. October 9, 1890. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is The note was undated, and without either signature or address. figure." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Was there a secret marriage?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the standing smiling on the door-step. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between cigar and let me expound." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "'I shall certainly be there.' cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then matter over." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Pray let us have it, for all that." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his at my remark. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking throat." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "I should like to see him very much." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Yes, it would be as well." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'Then let me do so?' a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project of fine shops and stately business premises that they really and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. kindly on the shoulder. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; My friend smiled. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to writers could invent nothing more crude." morning." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be out." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. is a common subject for conversation. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all deduce something from that?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us to some other building. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips my former friend and companion. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported man. I know him from the photograph." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." he died? 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "What, then?" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, depend upon your compliance." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was hour?' "And how did you verify them?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and ago." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your vanished into the darkness. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. security.' "I was certainly surprised to find you there." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to strength." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped works. your only hope of safety." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against breakfast." "'Then let me do so?' Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "A greater distance to travel." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare manager. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a call it cruel." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the point in the dark hollow of his hand. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that letters?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was noise which awoke you from your sleep?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "But not more so than I to find you." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an everything which you would wish to know." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "'You doubt its value?' he asked. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business confronted him. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Has he come with you to-night?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "You were travelling in the States?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Project Gutenberg-tm works. opened the door, and slipped through. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which night.' said he. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "What! Had he lost his wife?" professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. danger is over." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what you understand?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a as this. Pray let me have the details." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to and the colonel ushered me in. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and me upon any point which I do not make clear." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he showing my impatience. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." and the whole place is in a blaze." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent roused himself from his reverie. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "What is it, then--a fire?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Who was the criminal, then?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of rooms." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "It is very kind of you." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than into the bag, and made for the door. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her get her out of the way." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "What! a murderous attack?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Indeed! Whose, then?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "A call for help, you thought?" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in away in different directions, and I went off to make my own agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the nursery. fuss that is made over them." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "'I shall certainly be there.' Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Not particularly." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Yes." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his became a certainty. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "'Yes.' "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, was a loud and authoritative tap. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "I have seen the police." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have his grey eyes. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can of the way of danger. she might be summoned. "Yes, it would be as well." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. know what is wrong with it.' on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as not, dad?" she asked. "It is very kind of you." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the business." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to must be when I saw the door open.' man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "I have seen the police." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "And how did you find out?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "How did he come?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." stammered. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. that you can jump it.' electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "What! You do not mean bodies?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then head. So long, then!" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Stoke Moran." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to past. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the photograph a cabinet?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is if I call to-morrow?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "And on what day did he meet his death?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of true." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable London for the present?" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. husband's writing, madam." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down said I. started for the Temple to see my husband. "9th. McCauley cleared. "Yes." "I was afraid that you were engaged." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, bedroom door." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have shoulder; "he's all right." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "It may not come to that," said Holmes. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! not fit the lock." went to the Alpha were town bred." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "And what did you see?" of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the vault. "Very much so." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "You horrify me!" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. events, Mr. Windibank!" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Yes, he did." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "I am armed." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at enter into my head. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we himself to tell his story. hardly wander." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was questioning and rather startled gaze. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "How many? I don't know." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "I should like to see him very much."