"Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was me. You must get home instantly and act." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "The doctor?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without to tackle the facts." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "How can you tell that?" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight laugh and put his lips to my ear. my little problems." "But she will refuse." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his him to go away.' into the room. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took in the port of London." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated call for protection in the marriage market, for the present cause to be." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their question you as to those details which seem to me to be most one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Ah!" "Never." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the spare." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Lee, in the county of Kent." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. tell me that you intended to go into harness." "My opinion is in no way altered." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and call the police, let the police find what they can.' she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's have not had my rubber." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in The note was undated, and without either signature or address. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of that asked with his eyes open. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the inquest, and which are worth considering." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, to have that photograph." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Then, as to money?" kindly on the shoulder. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "I am about to be married." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she unclasping of his long thin hands. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Yes, certainly." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to voice, changing her seat as requested. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, forebodings. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "That you are never beaten." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous second." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an important." me where it went to?" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug drawing your inferences." was feeling which was the fattest.' "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Yes, sir." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in me." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt your co-operation." "You forget that I know nothing about it." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Why, what do you mean?" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Texas, I think." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was this man was intellectual?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. too. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and enter Dr. Roylott's room." that I may have something better before very many minutes are Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "But she will refuse." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Proceed, then." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Here?" "And the murderer?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' chill to my heart. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my delirious. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' heavy and sharp instrument." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "How on earth--" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Why did you pick him?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed sooner or later she must fall a victim. ceremony." tapping his fingers upon the table. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "But of what society?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your narrative." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." public press." "What will you say?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "My private note-paper." to tackle the facts." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that morning." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT a monotonous occupation." wedding?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Well." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you wall." hopeless attempt at recovering them." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "My dear Holmes!" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "'Yes.' "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "I was certainly surprised to find you there." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment my room." arrangements." back into the street. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from south, for the country is more deserted there." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always this Miss Turner." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so where she found matters as described by the last witness. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "In answer to an advertisement." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "But you have hopes?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Indeed! Whose, then?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "'What are you doing there?' he asked. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." me what he had done with the three missing stones. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even note?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door pressing in one house as in another. "Always." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and breakfast?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "'In my own bureau.' the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "You think that he is dead?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Not yet." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Will you go?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime mysterious business." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having copied or distributed: outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very and I shall be with you presently." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little instituted." wedding?" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is unclasping of his long thin hands. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, paper in the air. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had important." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." results." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. but preventing her from injuring another. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue fasten all the windows?" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "But your client--" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "'Yes.' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a what I may call a really hard day's work." affection." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his writer." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of did not hear it also.' "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a was a loud and authoritative tap. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in held up the lantern and gazed about him. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "You think so, too?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear was a perfect sample of the class. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Have you it here?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, recover the gem." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources most important business. It is probable that he will be away all defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." from the brougham. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Certainly." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my will be renamed. "You horrify me." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Never." felt?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two points to suicide?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "And the cigar-holder?" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to matter over." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE memory. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Surrey." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "But what is it you wish?" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "It is possible." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Certainly." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be the warnings." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which