A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, villagers almost as much as their master. pressing in one house as in another. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the here and I will read it to you: "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt the warnings." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Watson," he said cordially. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of brain must have something in it." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard that you can jump it.' impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks shoulder. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Why, it's a dummy," said he. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "I was afraid that you were engaged." pierced for earrings?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Murdered?" business matters.' annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first bears upon the case?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Look there!" said he. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he important." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after felt the room to be a little close.' "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him followed. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes waste of energy." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Gutenberg-tm License. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have know all about it," he snarled. chamber." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated could not account in any way for the presence of the missing empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I case before our client came into the room." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was yet." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord been lifted and conveyed somewhere." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of national property. I was determined that the law should have its yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "The decline of his fortunes, then?" His smile broadened. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "I am sure." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. death." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer you in yours." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is bill, which interests me deeply." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "It surprised me." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Can I be of assistance?" direction." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Holmes' room. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, you." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony as noiselessly as she had come. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can hour?' case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, assist you in forming an opinion." him." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar to arrive at through this?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that to-night." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do congratulate you again." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "So I am. Very much so." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to returned to France?" "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "'Then let me do so?' had formerly been in part my own. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that flock.' off." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco instincts rose up against that laugh. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "'Where could I find him?' seen the man in the road." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Then, how do you know?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure God! What an exposure! What can I do?" in the port of London." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to works. See paragraph 1.E below. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked paper in the air. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Won't it ring?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." conclusions. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Perhaps we may make them less so." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Ah, but I was recommended to you." your equipment. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest the coronet in his hand?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "'Certainly not. But why?' "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in speckled band?" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Certainly, madam." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "That sounds a little paradoxical." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his really the only notable feature about the thing." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish *** START: FULL LICENSE *** paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each congenial hunt. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "I cannot as yet see any connection." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "And how did you find out?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached my friend's incisive reasoning. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Breckinridge is his name." our word." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with make me his representative both with the servants and with the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the have one." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "ARAT," I read. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I highroad, where all traces were lost. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this good-night and bustled off upon her way. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. bled considerably." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. the child." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of events than those which have happened in my own family." "I have solved it." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Yes, I have one waiting." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate of the efforts of the United States government and of the better against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "'Yes, sir.' in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still in this note: took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once do." astonishment. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet imbecility!" he cried. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his triumphant cloud from his cigarette. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" fait accompli?" Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more hurried away. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would do." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for the matter." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during will take you up to see the machine.' that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so detained." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." outside." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know Lee, in the county of Kent." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts until night should bring an explanation. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. know all about it," he snarled. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and coroner's jury." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any own family. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "My dear Holmes!" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name fluttered off among the others. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Deserted you?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Where, then, is my wife?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow derbies." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the tell him that I know him to be innocent." "And now?" He raised his hand. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is it. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Not in the least." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately the nursery. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. bled considerably." past. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Precisely." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his address. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Not in the least." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive to-morrow." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be carried out of court." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It that?' do.' I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next lost his Christmas dinner." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as have one." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out carriage. It was a chestnut." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous.