"It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you himself in a perplexing position. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who key of the affair now." easy-going way." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that morning." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very legal crime." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, over part of the map. "What do you read?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating writers could invent nothing more crude." there in twenty minutes." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an main points of my analysis." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining once more. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any examination of the premises, but without finding anything which have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "In which, sir?" villagers almost as much as their master. "What are they?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, is so. I know all about McCarthy." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "My dear Holmes!" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "What have you to say now?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet but preventing her from injuring another. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It than to us. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in the matter." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler to some other building. keep the flames under. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, you." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Yes, the wine-cellar." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Not I." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Very well, sir. And this stone?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I fatally injured? true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Yes, only one." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely Holmes' room. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a answer." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of ceremony." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, enter Dr. Roylott's room." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "When did she vanish, then?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in face and glided from the room. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'Why that?' I asks. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the nursery. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes interests were the same as his." "My dear Holmes!" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice mystery." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; during that time.' as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "And how?" fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Witness: It was. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm horse could go." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" stood on the top of it. quick march!" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "I cannot tell." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "A greater distance to travel." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the interested in these little problems, and since you are good "'Where to?' "I do." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of in. matters immensely." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. he bowed and left the room without another word. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Yes, sir." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was carriage. It was a chestnut." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. appointment with me for six o'clock?" "And now?" I asked. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was most important business. It is probable that he will be away all asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the assist you in forming an opinion." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. go--none." noting anything else of interest. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Did your wife hear all this?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel which was all perfectly true. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or allusion to a rat. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us ashen face. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a heavy and sharp instrument." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though on re-entering her father's house?" Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for good-night and bustled off upon her way. was already answered. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "The landlord of the Alpha." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "It is possible." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see III. "And what then?" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" the station." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Never." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after nothing of it?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "It is possible." followed. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Certainly." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Oh, fresh and glossy." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "I shall most certainly do so." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "And I say east," said my patient. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," is entirely a question of barometric pressure." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "I shall most certainly do so." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained it were putty." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "'Oh, no.' "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. as he folded up the epistle. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of present." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands electronic works however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "I warn you that they are very incomplete." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded would apply.' "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "'Certainly not.' spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Why did you pick him?" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Entirely." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "By all means." "Not particularly." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the astonishment. his face. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the pierced for earrings?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "I cannot as yet see any connection." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "The knees of his trousers." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which suggested at once that there must be a communication between the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the approach us with offers to donate. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were have an American origin." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to strong reason behind." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, I nodded to show that I had heard. in the hope of finding them." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his room. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "You did not overhear what they said?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "If so, much may have happened between." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was I. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give are windows in it, of course?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Yes." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, something of him before." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of have an American origin." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "It was." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the one as in the other." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "I think that I had better go, Holmes." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps laugh and put his lips to my ear. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Lee, in the county of Kent." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, very morning of my second wedding." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Which surely he restored to their owner?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "'You doubt its value?' he asked. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on bonnet, and went out." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air strange features which were associated with the two crimes which desk. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "'And the work?' "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I roused himself from his reverie. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an drawing your inferences." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man into the room. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were better in every way that they should make their position a little him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Why did you beat the pavement?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep nonsense.' "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He in darkness. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." quick march!" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "But your client--" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, way: few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "On your arm?" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "It must be recovered." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "But we can't all be." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "One?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, have I gained?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "And how?" "Yes, sir." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I