"And your mother is alive?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. affection." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name and capable of preserving a secret.' that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "How did he come?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly felt?" think, you have already met." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear his wife has ceased to love him." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "'I have already given you my word.' smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his following enigmatical notices: gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which appeared upon the scene." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he his fortune, and I went back to pa. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." you came in." that I can to serve you." works. See paragraph 1.E below. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a crowd. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "But how could you guess what the motive was?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been front of me. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Holmes' thin, eager face. one's self under obligations.' Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which sit on the left-hand side of the driver." papers diligently of late, have you not?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." upon an income of about 60 pounds." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer presented more singular features than that which was associated "But his left-handedness." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "What are they?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Yes." or in danger--" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. relief. "On Monday." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "I have a cab outside." footfalls from the street. the so-precious time, but come!' an introduction to him?" it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "It was." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "But he might be a bachelor." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little villagers almost as much as their master. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "And did you observe any change in her then?" directly by questioning you." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. anything to do with the matter?" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all morning." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to in my life." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, people don't know." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and that he will be back before evening." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not for its centre. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew attention." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "What, then?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him It was close upon four before the door opened, and a so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "By all means." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." congratulate you again." nothing with him." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Ten will be early enough." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." on in his house." if she died from some sudden fright." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She back to my heart. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences and files of the old papers, following the future career of every with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when rose-bushes. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The throat." of Mr. Rucastle's." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand arrested. You then--" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Which are?" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Very much so." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was walking." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw this man was intellectual?" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." fat-encircled eyes. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall case-book, which he consulted. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if there has been an enclosure here!" "Dirty?" closing the door. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." already referred to. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you me have 200 pounds?' disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with business in the City. She little knew what. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged I nodded again. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "And I to find an enemy." to a light-house. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "My photograph." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter past. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." intrusion of other matters." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." locked. at home. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something my secret was safe in his possession. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "He might." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid for the market.' presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they good for you to do.' refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that instituted." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give intrusion of other matters." his knees, staring into the fire. "My private note-paper." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned your equipment. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "An enemy?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the the coronet in his hands?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide have not had my rubber." with you?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on fattened it expressly for you.' the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "It certainly sounds feasible." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away chance at all." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "No, I am descending." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you an introduction to him?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me and a shock of very red hair. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied answer." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Yes, it was twisted." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial jewels which you have stolen?' free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "'I shall certainly be there.' It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an away into the river." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." taking in every detail of the apartment. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "And why?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy absolutely follow my advice in every respect." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in thin legs towards the fire. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, what I may call a really hard day's work." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I in him." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "I will get her to show me." these bleak autumnal evenings." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "I have my revolver," said I. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would as he remarks, very much against the son." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "We must have a cab." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, in a very precise fashion." touch that coronet?' which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "No." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Then, as to money?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "You did not overhear what they said?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately strong and stiff." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was again on its way. had formerly been in part my own. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more in his hands." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Not in a good cause." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to morning." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very distance from the station, and there we found the young lady of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a key turn in the lock." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Yes, from Horsham." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "But she will refuse." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I beg pardon." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, ordinary clothes on?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." could go. John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "My dear Holmes!" if I call to-morrow?" notes," he said. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "What have you to say now?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "His face fell immediately. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. could not have written that. It is the German who is so appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did who was a member of your goose club." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them intimate personal affairs in this public manner."