"Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Certainly." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and be sorry for having acted so harshly." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when some city in a dream. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." back into the street. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "That is not always so easy." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "I should like to see him very much." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. companion imperturbably. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy do." security.' My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "What office?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine happened." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united in darkness. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "At the wedding breakfast." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "An enemy?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined mysterious business." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after closely." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "So I heard. You have him here?" Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed it." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I chambers. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to where Mr. Fordham shows you.' official police." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a for its centre. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining should be taken.' "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" them?" "Your French gold?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent becomes even more simple." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "One?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in III. and capable of preserving a secret.' said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp through." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that http://gutenberg.net/license). qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter orange pips. may have an influence upon European history." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular morning." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings money should be paid at once.' savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving sufficient punishment." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so business?" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, back into the street. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Pray tell us what has happened to you." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "No, finished." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Then I shall certainly come." "And how?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, at a side door. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "And for present expenses?" to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed other means.' unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Pope's Court. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed round with crates and massive boxes. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "What then?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between I took the paper from him and read as follows: Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. with the outside air!" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & waste of energy." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a flock.' the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Precisely." in this way: prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper in him." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the stammered. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Bought." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of John Swain, of St. Augustine. might help us?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had astonishment. companion. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could very morning of my second wedding." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the breakfast." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. point in the dark hollow of his hand. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge gives a meaning to it." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "I am to be neutral?" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless coroner's jury." McCarthy's innocence. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Quite so." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Was the window open?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden his wife has ceased to love him." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was felt?" human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Why, it's a dummy," said he. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her coroner's jury." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Nothing." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive suggested at once that there must be a communication between the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "What! You do not mean bodies?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "You will not go there first?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "She will not sell." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different purpose equally well?" the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" answered with a sidelong glance. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "You are hungry," I remarked. strength of mind to control. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in him, that man would not have given me such complete information "The King of Scandinavia." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Have you her photograph?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." second window is the one that I jumped from." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked I took the paper from him and read as follows: "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "'What do you call purely nominal?' maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Where did you address your letters, then?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Countess of Morcar's?" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the if only as a check to my own memory." digesting their breakfasts at home." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "What is it?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Which surely he restored to their owner?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an skylight. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my up this clue while it is still hot." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." in my life." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. there in twenty minutes." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "You are all wrong." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in to Leatherhead. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the galvanised. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are swore that no one else had been in the front room during the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "You are all wrong." hurried away. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Then he might have called to you?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and and the church but not where the lady lived." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in him nearly every evening." "None." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns there." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his your co-operation." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you thin legs towards the fire. away to you." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two whether it answered to the description of any of their "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed were new raised from a basin. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "I cannot imagine." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "What! a murderous attack?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my The King stared at him in amazement. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Very truly yours, in a very precise fashion." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Was he the only applicant?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets gone. whether it answered to the description of any of their the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it The King stared at him in amazement. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "In San Francisco, a year ago." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "I am to be neutral?" forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Was she in good spirits?" "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that there were so many in the whole country as were brought together doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "You are certainly joking, Holmes." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "A confidential servant?" "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable them?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under closing the door. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this with you alone." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "No, finished." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "My own seal." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in bears upon the case?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, it were putty." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but hand, madam?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Whose house is it?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the business came to an end." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in