not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood to surprise her." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds the stones. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "I have solved it." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the figure." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Breckinridge is his name." annoyance, but no jest. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a away to you." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your your only hope of safety." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between charge against him will break down." place no limit on the sum I may draw." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "You think that he is dead?" "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "My dear Holmes!" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the For additional contact information: last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it weapon." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his orange pips. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Yes, there are nearly always some there." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "I should wish to." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "You think so, too?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Witness: Nothing definite. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "I guessed as much." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Just look it up, then." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would way in." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its amused." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Foundation gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "I shall most certainly do so." "I am to be neutral?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been business?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to if I call to-morrow?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying down. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "I answered that I had not. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "No, I had a dozen." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for particular state visit http://pglaf.org his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which a good hundred miles off by now." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of to where he stood hid behind the curtain. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to photograph?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide colour had been driven from his face. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you companion quietly. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from room had already been engaged for us. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, closely." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which minor matters until to-morrow." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you a very grave face. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "And from a noble client?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "And you don't know his address?" "Breckinridge is his name." instituted." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush visitors." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "This concluded the examination of the witness." hand, madam?" to miss it." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She noise which awoke you from your sleep?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Munro.' that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the spare." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round yet." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over point in the dark hollow of his hand. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian all-comprehensive glances. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell me, and I could not think that his explanation of the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "It surprised me." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "'Most admirably.' something of him before." for securing the situation." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he house for five minutes.' His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which any." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down a room. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards everything which you would wish to know." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened carpenter." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only note?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me cup of tea. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity papers." "And Miss Sutherland?" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for new duties?' Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you such person." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "I have my revolver," said I. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband your co-operation." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the 1.F. will take you up to see the machine.' it with his own hands." "May I see it?" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the be.' "My own seal." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to developed." "No." Does that suggest anything?" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it present." are, I think, all that we need." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he her also." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "'What, the red-headed man?' is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent fish-monger and a tide-waiter." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it roused himself from his reverie. about. next day. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and papers diligently of late, have you not?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "When did she vanish, then?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, companion imperturbably. "Breckinridge is his name." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "'What do you call purely nominal?' Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw the best of training." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "No." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every it." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "And why?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he mysterious end." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "No, I am descending." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, and laid it on the table. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, very old mansion. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would your own bird, so if you wish--" someone who had been in Australia." to miss it." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Have you it here?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "It is solved." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Could he throw no light?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us business." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of until night should bring an explanation. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Certainly." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is the stable lane now." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "In answer to an advertisement." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would late!' is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but tell me that you intended to go into harness." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was companion. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his which are rolled in Rotterdam." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was individual and becomes the badge of a society." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! danger is over." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce vault. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of out of this horrible affair." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "'I am sure if I had known--' "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "'You cannot say what it was?' "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near we went to search for him, face downward in a little there in twenty minutes." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid and no precautions can guard against." man. I know him from the photograph." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is certainly do as you advise." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than existence." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall even of instruction." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Tired-looking or fresh?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less meanly of me." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the wedding?" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "But to whom?" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son this truth that in these little records of our cases which you I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party upon the sideboard." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a returning from some small jollification and was making his way client, rising. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Not I." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches beyond words. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "You know me, then?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet mysterious end." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." photograph?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too been deceived." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "It is no ordinary one." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came must compliment you." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and populous neighbourhood." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "'And the work?' certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and ran thus: little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her annoyance, but no jest. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this reach." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Yes, I have one waiting." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that voice, changing her seat as requested. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the opened a pocket-book and took out a note.