misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Witness: Nothing definite. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "'Certainly not.' the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Absolutely none." careless servant girl?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. over with notes and figures. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Holmes' room. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have astonishment. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and But Holmes shook his head gravely. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Where did you address your letters, then?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working upon the sideboard." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of DISSOLVED. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "'About the same.' when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father spare." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only rat could hardly pass through." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking was used.' ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel to-night?" I asked. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "She told me to ask you." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very and have this put in the evening papers." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and quickly through a disagreeable task. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the was it brought him the coronet? had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an intimate personal affairs in this public manner." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what your bag." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Well, some hundreds of times." "I fear not." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are you." with her." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood legal crime." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are we went to search for him, face downward in a little hereditary King of Bohemia." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, to a more successful conclusion." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "'Why that?' I asks. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the be.' typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he see me here to avoid scandal." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Entirely." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, to surprise her." "'What then?' I asked. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "The best possible." like that before?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about memory. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor interests were the same as his." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" fuss that is made over them." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine begun to whiten, even as mine has." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit the coronet at all injured?" she might be summoned. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business strode off upon his way. anything to do with the matter?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to everything which you would wish to know." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Leadenhall Street--and--" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was power." again, where I was soon asleep. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece said he, "my real name is James Ryder." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and to miss it." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "To the police?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "And I say east," said my patient. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. affair. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon one else, I think." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "In the cells." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set know what is wrong with it.' called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Deserted you?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card garden below. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "I promise," said Holmes. a little more before I quite committed myself. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we nice household for a young lady." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Do you receive much company?" he asked. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "'You doubt its value?' he asked. is four-and-twenty." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the coronet in his hands?" "And I say east," said my patient. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without voice, changing her seat as requested. "And Irene Adler?" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent examine." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, outbreak?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Nearly eleven." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its when your master had gone out." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far voice. I leave." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "My photograph." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit front of me. has little to do with my story." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" companion. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," his knees, staring into the fire. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if he died? Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, had formerly been in part my own. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Who was the criminal, then?" business." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the photograph?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "That sounds a little paradoxical." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two best detective that ever lived. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the she to prove their authenticity?" or in danger--" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the forehead. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "9th. McCauley cleared. to me. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." 1.F. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but client, rising. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "No, but the enclosure is." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked where she found matters as described by the last witness. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "You have but to name it." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what points in connection with it which never have been, and probably the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." leave you to your papers for a little." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you interest. They are important, you understand, without being elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Certainly." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his said he at last. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "'Oh, no.' might help us?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and and capable of preserving a secret.' hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "'Certainly not. But why?' the coronet in his hands?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "But you were on a friendly footing?" distinguish the words: there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "You are hungry," I remarked. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in outside. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' an introduction to him?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that may never be exposed to such a temptation." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there written, and locked the door of the office after me. "It must be recovered." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'Very good.' foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and