present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a developed." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "And why?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you shall use the carriage to-night." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Street. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very allusion to a rat. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own attention." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination answer." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain new duties?' this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "I should be immensely obliged to you." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Not in the least." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed where Mr. Fordham shows you.' my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the least a fellow-countryman. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "No. His orders were to stay in the house." eavesdroppers?' pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob away in different directions, and I went off to make my own deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand she used." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or helping a boy to put up the shutters. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The there was no need for father to know." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Very murderous indeed." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into possible that we could bring him back to her? view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "What, then, did Peterson do?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his these bleak autumnal evenings." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of been." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of presume?" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in tell me that you intended to go into harness." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you question you as to those details which seem to me to be most in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I better in every way that they should make their position a little 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "My stepfather's business papers." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We she has been waylaid. There has been no result." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" flock.' against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I direction." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "On your arm?" photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your row." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Nothing." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those address. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from the bottom.' began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot chemical work which was so dear to him. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Pray be precise as to details," said he. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them some mystery and the punishment of some crime." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that to some other building. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Could he throw no light?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from coat-tails." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. spare." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was people don't know." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham handed it to him. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "I warn you that they are very incomplete." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, ordinary clothes on?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "I shall most certainly do so." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to interests were the same as his." wife's character?" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "No, I think that I'll take it." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Were they all fastened this morning?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "That was it, sir." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." them?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the knowledge of the world." interests were the same as his." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "No?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a whatever might befall. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." in this way: unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of dead, shall be safe with us." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was looking up at the numbers of the houses." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap and prosperity to your house. Good-night." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to that he has suffered." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed speckled band?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as you do it in twenty minutes!' week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If help us in this matter." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Holmes' room. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the awkward doing business with an alias." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Ten will be early enough." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just McCarthy's innocence. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "A call for help, you thought?" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, as he remarks, very much against the son." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily had picked up in the wood. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. fuss that is made over them." opportunities to fix the problem. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "To the police?" As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe cup of tea. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "'As governess?' and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King hurried by. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "I do." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom and looked back. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent suddenly upon us." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "On the contrary, this is the right side." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, gigantic client. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be will take you up to see the machine.' could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "'Yes, it was gone.' "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. one's self under obligations.' It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from something of him before." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Well, some hundreds of times." have got?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black upon the sideboard." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. then?" the coronet at all injured?" DAMAGE. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." new duties?' The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." bare slabs of marble. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Yes." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "And leave your case unfinished?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "It is solved." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business obstinate." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "I am to be neutral?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Then I am your man." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an directly by questioning you." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "None." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the his wife has ceased to love him." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "VIOLET HUNTER." and I shall be with you presently." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "But his lameness?" you give your casting vote to?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless presented which may be striking and bizarre without being secret." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Holmes." intrusion of other matters." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, said he. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." society." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these and it need not interfere very much with one's other "He is still with you, I presume?" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Did you become engaged then?" "Very much so." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "No?" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both him, that man would not have given me such complete information highly," said Holmes. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." might help us?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "At half-wages, in fact." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "'Certainly not.' lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Deserted you?" "What shall I do?" spare." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "What is it?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with his face. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a been lifted and conveyed somewhere." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my him and tried to hold him back. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as is a common subject for conversation. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the best of training." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. have an American origin." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "That is possible." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "By train from Waterloo." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is