his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "And what did you learn from him?" "Always." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Has he come with you to-night?" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "A greater distance to travel." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off as this. Pray let me have the details." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. relief. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' whereabouts. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "In which, sir?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "What?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at me." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been unclasping of his long thin hands. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" bonnet, and went out." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Frequently." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have with the outside air!" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough from the brougham. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have in him." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. shall not find me ungrateful." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Bought." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "And you thought he was pulled back?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding sit on the left-hand side of the driver." residence of the great financier. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he back alive. "Yes, the wine-cellar." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low them, and came down just as you departed. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated I was concerned in it." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now someone who had been in Australia." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his delighted to hear it," he said. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "So I heard. You have him here?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a particular state visit http://pglaf.org there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in go from here to the Strand." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business lids now and glanced across at his visitor. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "None." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Gutenberg-tm License. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "No, my brougham is waiting." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll straightened it out again. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in been shamefully used." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert you give your casting vote to?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, thirty. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. of his shoulders. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears right! Sit down and let us talk it over." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "'Never.' "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all hand, madam?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. on re-entering her father's house?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an just ask you whether you had heard it.' you?' "But what is it you wish?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a laugh and put his lips to my ear. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "What! You do not mean bodies?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, main points of my analysis." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is I nodded again. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester soul! here is her carriage at the door." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he sooner or later she must fall a victim. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important breakfast?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "To the police?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: his forehead." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a someone who had been in Australia." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Holmes' face clouded over. what I may call a really hard day's work." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Precisely so. But how--" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Of what day?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the running down." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "'Which dealer's?' morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "But not more so than I to find you." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "A confidential servant?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Did you observe the colour?" the bottom.' "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I empty. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "He disappeared so suddenly." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, married her." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "I have come for advice." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess fait accompli?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, evidence," I remarked. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Well, some hundreds of times." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Nearly eleven." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime narrative." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "The gentleman I describe." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the awkward doing business with an alias." will be renamed. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do learned something! Where are the gems?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For and put his glass in his pocket. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the attention." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." tapping his fingers upon the table. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Can I be of assistance?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, do.' one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Literary Archive Foundation petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at which should have the effect of calling the attention of the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old even so self-evident a thing as that." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst late." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "And is that all?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in waste of energy." that dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the noble correspondent could be. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "I shall most certainly do so." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the about. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "How do you know, then?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room she to prove their authenticity?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our 'please.'" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses to-night's adventure." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "I have come for advice." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Not him." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "A confidential servant?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." to a more successful conclusion." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," there when the Rucastles went away." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "And it is--" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "It is true that I have been generally successful." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Thank you. And your address?" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" standing smiling on the door-step. would then never go into court at all." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a have an American origin." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "And how in the world did you find them?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have strong and stiff." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "I know where it is." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Where is it, then?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and too. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, before the coroner and the police-court." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in ceremony." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from pictures, libraries, or plate. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" when you have done it." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is