little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of passage and a tap at the door. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man business?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had I was concerned in it." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps excitement. arrested. You then--" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. chance." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an and I shall be with you presently." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "I have hopes." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be business." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a written. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he I was concerned in it." a very grave face. his eyes and forehead. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "That you are never beaten." wanted for ourselves." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "But not more so than I to find you." tied." murdered man." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for cigars in the box." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "He is dead," cried several voices. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches brandy and water within his reach. look dissatisfied." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. sofa. This way, please!" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Is he quiet?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the joking. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "'Yes, I promise.' submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the and glanced through. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and already referred to. "I say it is." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a companion. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert nonsense.' utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this invisible to me," I remarked. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about it right.' to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to because she had spent so short a time in this country that she shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so have had none more fantastic than this." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "And I to find an enemy." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "What, then?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "I do." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when in this note: of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "No, I am descending." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; friend's singular character. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is you, my dear young lady?' slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not once more for Briony Lodge. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, arrested. You then--" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, papers." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, me where it went to?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the if she died from some sudden fright." this poor creature." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was the armchair which I pushed forward for him. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here 11:15.' Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Now, then, what's the last entry?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated strode off upon his way. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "No, I think that I'll take it." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "'And what salary do you ask?' passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich is four-and-twenty." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." letters?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." on re-entering her father's house?" leaning back in his chair. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "'Which dealer's?' instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "There is the writing." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." was lame." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses pity, because in other respects you would really have done very affection." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to breakfast?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "It was a confession," I ejaculated. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the closing the door. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. his eyes and forehead. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither forebodings. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as his forehead." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance go from here to the Strand." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your salesman. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Only as much as we can deduce." the driver. on re-entering her father's house?" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "There are none." "Pray let us have it, for all that." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. voice. in a friendly supper." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "My stepfather's business papers." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand maiden herself was most instructive." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "You have carte blanche." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "I have hopes." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Yes, but only for you and me." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Yes." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. the general public were present, then?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my rat could hardly pass through." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, tear off another piece?' of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they them?" "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point asked. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue anything to a woman, for she would have her way." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or you." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing views." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'Yes.' I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project is a common subject for conversation. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" hair?' call it cruel." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the them, and came down just as you departed. sneer upon his pale face. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting I shall communicate with you." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed whole matter to your consideration." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, clang of the bell. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' whole matter to your consideration." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your see me here to avoid scandal." father's young wife. corner of the building. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with 1.F. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on is," said he presently: "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all swore that no one else had been in the front room during the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some answered with a sidelong glance. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." his grey eyes. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Very truly yours, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Never." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon night.' said he. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE astonishment. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Of Friday, June 19th." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "What then?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Then, how do you know?" dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general laugh and put his lips to my ear. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at maid will bring up your coffee." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. and all of them with the keenest interest. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you in this way: eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which putting in the horse. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "I am following you closely," I answered. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Absolutely?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "But of what society?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the dramatic, in fact." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, in his power. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt danger is over." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Yes, that is the Crown." the driver. "The rest you will leave in our hands." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. she to prove their authenticity?" fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Yes, at the mines." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the