words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let done what I asked you, Jones?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Game for a morning drive?" my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us leave you to your papers for a little." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted evidence," I remarked. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for empty. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "And on what day did he meet his death?" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "That is easily got." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." started for the Temple to see my husband. had this final quarrel? Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from over with notes and figures. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "No, finished." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this already been minutely examined." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at do." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "ARAT," I read. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking locked." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, chill to my heart. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "That sounds a little paradoxical." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never seven miles from Eyford Station.' I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking galvanised. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot man. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. me. You must get home instantly and act." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From look upon these things in a different way." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a will be renamed. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover seen the man in the road." "'Yes.' "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "I assure you that I am in your hands." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, Eyford at 11:15.' the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Was your sister dressed?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together less than 26s. 4d. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any I held the little printed slip to the light. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "And what then?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean possible that we could bring him back to her? Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, himself to tell his story. seven miles from Eyford Station.' mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid what these perils are?" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "And what then?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Not in the least." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." spare." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Where did you address your letters, then?" matter." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, and inquire as to the address." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in cup of tea. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. straightened it out again. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the cup of tea. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" hard-headed British jury." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "It looks newer than the other things?" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "'Ten to two.' "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that furiously. copied or distributed: "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "None." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Then I can wait in the next room." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "How did he come?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been learned something! Where are the gems?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE business?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined the tragedy. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of of his shoulders. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One cause to be." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old discontent upon his features. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." possible that we could bring him back to her? higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a the very letters. But what is this written above them?' as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we address. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "But she could not love him." even so self-evident a thing as that." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be problems help me to do so." delighted to hear it," he said. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. went to the Alpha were town bred." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, noting anything else of interest. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." said he at last. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his miles off. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white side. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Oh, the cause is excellent!" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Is he quiet?" client, rising. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall a monotonous occupation." neither fascinating nor artistic." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the never came back." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "It was." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "This concluded the examination of the witness." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & vague figure huddled up in the darkness. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "But not more so than I to find you." "And how did you find out?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these opened the door, and slipped through. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was could not have written that. It is the German who is so centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "It is solved." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "No bad?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "At the wedding breakfast." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Were they all fastened this morning?" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I strength." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. to tackle the facts." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he which our visitor detailed to us. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Tired-looking or fresh?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never The police have openly confessed that they can at present make His name is Francis Prosper." business?" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a gigantic client. to me. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to again, where I was soon asleep. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had but preventing her from injuring another. "Yes." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, his forehead." redistribution. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing towards the blaze. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing look upon these things in a different way." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds since then to throw any light upon what became of him." went to the Alpha were town bred." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Come in!" said he. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the room while you explain this matter?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent dramatic, in fact." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom she might be summoned. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "I shall be delighted." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your asked. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "How long did she speak to this Alice?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Then I do not see the point." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's to some other building. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Yes." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "It must be recovered." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "You did not overhear what they said?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, forecastle of an emigrant ship. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for success. take the flies, but not before." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Just look it up, then." never came back." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Thank you. And your address?" I was concerned in it." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Was the window open?" "My last client of the sort was a king." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through individual and becomes the badge of a society." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you to arrive at through this?" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I asked. "I cannot think." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see here and I will read it to you: of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' attention." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the occupations.' to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would when your master had gone out." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a behind me. outside. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by nights." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." hopeless attempt at recovering them." Chief Executive and Director are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or manager. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Get out!" said he. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so could go.