He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon any little problem which you may submit to me." matters immensely." "Just look it up, then." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "At half-wages, in fact." "He disappeared so suddenly." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. drawing your inferences." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too and the colonel ushered me in. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Not him." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" interests were the same as his." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Yes, only one." used to be." "She showed me, as I told you she would." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and papers." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "At half-wages, in fact." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "I promise," said Holmes. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will ceremony." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for the child." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" second." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which way in." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment but preventing her from injuring another. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and speckled band?" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an then?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Have you it here?" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a the coroner come to?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few begin with, and I had not got mine yet." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went hands. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to this remarkable episode. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, I leave." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At of it with the greatest attention. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Perfectly so." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable bird I ate is country bred." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "What have you to say now?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Where, indeed?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position and I shall be with you presently." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "My opinion is in no way altered." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Stolen." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional went to the Alpha were town bred." "None. Neville wrote those words." "You know me, then?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." was it brought him the coronet? admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this to a more successful conclusion." "In answer to an advertisement." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "That was it, sir." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is James Windibank. Voilà tout!" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear long narrative. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that both be extremely obliged.' chance at all." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. interested in these little problems, and since you are good "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, round and wave him away like that.' gives a meaning to it." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "10th. John Swain cleared. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. golden eyeglasses. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "I should be immensely obliged to you." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. families. Now for the facts. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to entirely lost his self-respect." secret." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but annoyance, but no jest. possible that we could bring him back to her? the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "'Ample.' "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the manager. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "'Quite sure, dad.' "Pray continue your narrative." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long people don't know." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been not, dad?" she asked. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs orange pips. "No, distinctly professional." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "And your mother is alive?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and look upon these things in a different way." this poor creature." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I allusion to a rat. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. off." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before of this gang." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. suddenly upon us." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we washing it down with a long draught of water. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. me. You must get home instantly and act." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have taking in every detail of the apartment. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." at my own good fortune. photograph?" became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole address. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love characteristics, but those are the more obvious." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "My dear Holmes!" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was as this. Pray let me have the details." had formerly been in part my own. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "You think so, too?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we will he say when he returns?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own wall." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from hurried away. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by lips." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "And why?" something of him before." congratulate you again." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to asked. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that murdered man." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the case-book, which he consulted. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked prisoner's face. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two the matter?" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys you." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The outsides of the windows. whole matter to your consideration." for its centre. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Then, as to money?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray way: you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was conclusions. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "But what harm can there be in that?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. out of this horrible affair." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold showing my impatience. you came in." looking up at the numbers of the houses." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." reach." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Where, indeed?" crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "What are they?" wife's character?" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "And the murderer?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." fluttered off among the others. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" the running down." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always nonsense.' uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Mrs. Toller serenely. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the instituted." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "In heaven's name, what for?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing round and wave him away like that.' however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my man. himself in a perplexing position. Pope's Court. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of straightened it out again. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "What?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Seven!" I answered. know that the truth is known." "What then?" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Leadenhall Street--and--" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow just called myself is not exactly my own." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with of a light. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate in the dead of the night?' "I should like to see him very much." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable prisoner's face. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Precisely." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "By train from Waterloo." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. enough to aid us in our search." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered occurred." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Your French gold?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his during the last few years, and there are many noble families to distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, me upon any point which I do not make clear." the coroner come to?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Only as much as we can deduce." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. once more to my work. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "I cannot tell." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "My photograph." interests were the same as his." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such the station." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock