something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. standing smiling on the door-step. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black for securing the situation." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary disappearance of these gems?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. at my remark. "Witness: It was. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things about here speaks of his kindness to him." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be conclusions. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were mysterious business." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "And it is--" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I on re-entering her father's house?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Absolutely none." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very bird I ate is country bred." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets minor matters until to-morrow." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "'You cannot say what it was?' and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Can I be of assistance?" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "No. What a strange idea!" "Yes." help us in this matter." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "You horrify me!" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the never will be, entirely cleared up. his forehead." voice, changing her seat as requested. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was me have 200 pounds?' "'Entirely.' was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." foot. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Yes." upon the sideboard." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Who was the criminal, then?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Have you good authority for what you say?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "No legal papers or certificates?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to trifles." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with to tell." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "I see no marks." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Texas, I think." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "In what way?" asked Holmes. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "How did he come?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Eh? What was that?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" for securing the situation." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I hurried away. with frightened eyes at his accuser. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he suggested at once that there must be a communication between the girl said." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Witness: It was. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You of the way of danger. his face which made him a very different person to the round, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "If so, much may have happened between." "I was afraid that you were engaged." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private one of them." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "His face fell immediately. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position such attractions and accomplishments?' Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Oh, fresh and glossy." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a what I may call a really hard day's work." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Yes." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Certainly." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still into the bag, and made for the door. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "That sounds a little paradoxical." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough mysterious end." do." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, ashen face. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Well, but China?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa have I gained?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were http://gutenberg.net/license). base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no back into the street. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of unprofitable." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand experiences." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the even of instruction." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "What, then, did Peterson do?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from all-comprehensive glances. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "My dear Holmes!" pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "We have tried and failed." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of unprecedented a position." lumber-room." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "The landlord of the Alpha." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Well?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "If I can be of use." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Will you go?" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "He is still with you, I presume?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was other means.' "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It money should be paid at once.' "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "You horrify me." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Where to?" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "It was a confession," I ejaculated. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "No sign of it?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to in the hope of finding them." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It straighten it?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of your room." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was all?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Yes." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock public press." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I any." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "It surprised me." "Very much so." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It to talk it over. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "And how did he make his money?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where weighed down with some great anxiety. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "'What would be the hours?' I asked. some water from a caraffe. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found acquaintance?" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off burst into a hearty fit of laughter. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are politicians who had been sent down from the North. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this you." "I think that it is very probable." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Arthur Conan Doyle "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "'Where to?' going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "And who is her maid?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that the general public were present, then?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well is four-and-twenty." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." least a fellow-countryman. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital what I may call a really hard day's work." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Indeed! Whose, then?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "And it is--" yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I the very morning of the wedding." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Pope's Court. "Which are?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately in your London, you will know that the office of the company is compunction about shooting them down." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "I know where it is." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not lamp in his hand. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I gone before you can get him to hospital." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the said he. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "'You cannot say what it was?' happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of really the only notable feature about the thing." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "The Coroner: What do you mean? come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a the salesman. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, fear." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Murdered?" as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is nonsense.' over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Quite so." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Proceed, then." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King the Assizes." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away wedding?" and all of them with the keenest interest. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." entirely lost his self-respect." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." strode off upon his way. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the note?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "'There is a drive, then?'