"Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get room?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "To the police?" doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this a suggestive one." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "What then?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "'Never,' said I. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was bears upon the case?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Yes." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." written. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Lestrade of Scotland Yard." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police use an arc-and-compass breastpin." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though figure." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "And what did you see?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Yes, from Horsham." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "But what harm can there be in that?" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel You want to know what became of those geese?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive there was no need for father to know." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Your sister is dead, then?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "We were both in the photograph." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to important." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have you." "None." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined business." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "No legal papers or certificates?" "No, thank goodness, she did not." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, late!' "'And the work?' snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "No legal papers or certificates?" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest come either from the window or the door. My attention was there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "That is easily got." to-night?' death." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "9th. McCauley cleared. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. something of him before." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "A call for help, you thought?" http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and legal crime." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue in this note: pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely you, my dear young lady?' second window is the one that I jumped from." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the License. You must require such a user to return or "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger delirious. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two prison!" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Nothing?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "It is half-past ten now." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "I beg pardon." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "You know me, then?" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. three of the beryls in it, was missing. "'And the work?' science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage quickly through a disagreeable task. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become emerged. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that the coroner come to?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the should be so warm over such a trifle." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting impression behind it as though a window had gently closed carried out of court." "How did he come?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "That is not always so easy." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' disappearance of the bride.'" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the see a sister of mine apply for." "Look there!" said he. had formerly been in part my own. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'What are you doing there?' he asked. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had relation between them, and what the object of his repeated learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Did you observe the colour?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day up this clue while it is still hot." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "A client, then?" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Lee, in the county of Kent." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "I cannot tell." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too one of them." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. said I. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "'About the same.' rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Can I be of assistance?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Then you may entirely rely on me." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. them?" could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms might help us?" relation between them, and what the object of his repeated arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. girl said." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon all-comprehensive glances. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I writing, and yet I know it well." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. promised to bring home. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his kind enough to tell me what I should do." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "I would pay ten." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "And sit in the dark?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, relief. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "There is the writing." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." of your young ladies.' three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name at home. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon this Miss Turner." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. and have this put in the evening papers." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining business?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "And is that all?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Count Von Kramm." happened." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace characteristics, but those are the more obvious." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens never to learn it at all." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." tightly behind him. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, answered with a sidelong glance. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little fattened it expressly for you.' "And now?" He raised his hand. obstinate." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a this as likely?" memory. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his there were so many in the whole country as were brought together one which it was hard to resist. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which was shining brightly. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation persecution?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I 1.F. Holmes rather sternly. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just shoulder. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its from you?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any felt the room to be a little close.' day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in to where he stood hid behind the curtain. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the future lives." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! that you wished to speak to me?' detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel must be when I saw the door open.' details." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Did you become engaged then?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you you." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and cup of tea. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Holmes, the busybody!" returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in had a long day." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "I say it is." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness chair. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an weapon." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "What have you done?" asked Holmes. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up intrusion of other matters." indeed which he could not unravel. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Yes, sir." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his key turn in the lock." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our very morning of my second wedding." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Why serious?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not instituted." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in could gather together that I was able to avert another public only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying trifles." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Yes, the wine-cellar." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "He said that you could solve anything." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his papers on the sundial.'" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On