breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding and effective." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a giving me time to thank him. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen humiliation." "'Where to?' province." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his back alive. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm details." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young is," said he presently: "'And what are they worth?' I asked. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "'And what are they worth?' I asked. shoulder; "he's all right." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a during the last few years, and there are many noble families to had a long day." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a him." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Certainly, madam." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it of fine shops and stately business premises that they really my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Stoke Moran." own family. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for your billet.' up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such lids now and glanced across at his visitor. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Stolen, then." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his pictures, libraries, or plate. "Game for a morning drive?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "And how did you find out?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Witness: Nothing definite. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "And on what day did he meet his death?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "'Certainly,' I answered. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between the bottom.' "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Your sister is dead, then?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged that before taking the final step I should like to submit the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." not as remarkable as your advertisement." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "He is still with you, I presume?" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his The note was undated, and without either signature or address. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. could gather together that I was able to avert another public "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Clair, of Lee." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, nothing of it?" before the coroner and the police-court." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "What will you do, then?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I bachelor.' the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the II. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." following enigmatical notices: Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of washing it down with a long draught of water. becomes even more simple." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, cost them two and thirty pounds." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." is a common subject for conversation. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "'What are you doing there?' he asked. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "I will not look." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "And how did you verify them?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "And now?" I asked. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and laugh and put his lips to my ear. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive strong reason behind." "At the wedding breakfast." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near outside. of Fenchurch Street." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have me where it went to?" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich recover the gem." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "What then?" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." yourselves in at night?" if I call to-morrow?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on to affect your life." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Did your wife hear all this?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. bird I ate is country bred." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "The knees of his trousers." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, the little opening for the ventilator is." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen your equipment. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "And help." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "One of his hands." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Ample." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so you do it in twenty minutes!' has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in she might be summoned. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am an introduction to him?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious coroner's jury." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as always that they were such commands as a lady might with a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Yes, I have one waiting." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the very morning of the wedding." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "What can you not understand?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "'Entirely.' of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Why, what do you mean?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel your sleep?' "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "So it appears." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and His smile broadened. all?" crime. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "How on earth--" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Yes, I have one waiting." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they him. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to leave you to your papers for a little." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "In answer to an advertisement." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a hands. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I congenial hunt. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Where, then, is my wife?" said I. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's singular points about the case. What did the police think of the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, man. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to or in danger--" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open in him." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "The Coroner: What do you mean? "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "'What would be the hours?' I asked. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "One of the highest in England." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "No, thank goodness, she did not." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I was mad--insane." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "But the mystery?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere for securing the situation." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'Yes, it was gone.' like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "But to whom?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person appointment with me for six o'clock?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "I should wish to." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "That sounds a little paradoxical." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was allusion to a rat. tear off another piece?' also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Yes." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "And for present expenses?" became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Miss Holder?" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an individual and becomes the badge of a society." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. was already answered. "VIOLET HUNTER." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to at once, for I have only half an hour." Henry Baker is a member." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of and a shock of very red hair. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the floor. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or