her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them means taking possession of that which another person has a prior him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to shoulder. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to the iron safe, which he closed upon it. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "And why?" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor lost nothing by them." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock you." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "I am all attention, madam." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford arms and began to sob in a high treble key. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the roots. "No, distinctly professional." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." closely." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Where, indeed?" "Nearly eleven." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Nothing." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of seem to you to be relevant or not." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "But we can't all be." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "I say that I have solved it." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he fat-encircled eyes. hand, madam?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Was she in good spirits?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." there." "Will you bet, then?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and thirty. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Not yet." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when hair?' cause to be." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." respectable self." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair carpenter." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common clanging. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be least a fellow-countryman. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "I am all attention, madam." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. bears upon the case?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into suggested at once that there must be a communication between the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." with her." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good London for the present?" have I gained?" gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "It may not come to that," said Holmes. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a mysterious business." "I don't say that. Perhaps." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "In which, sir?" "What is it, then--a fire?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "But not more so than I to find you." infinite languor in his face. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. father's young wife. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a to-night." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated tear off another piece?' an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called of." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." me. You must get home instantly and act." His smile broadened. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "'Yes, I promise.' a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." see me here to avoid scandal." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every amused." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it been deceived." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding was a perfect sample of the class. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I off." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are lamp in his hand. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Where is it, then?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and him, that man would not have given me such complete information rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving had this final quarrel? me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "He said too much." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was his wife has ceased to love him." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Certainly, madam." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in way: "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps unprecedented a position." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without said he. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes The telegram which we eventually received came late one night in this way: again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and relief. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" ago." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. ashen face. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to she might be summoned. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "What can it mean?" I gasped. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to of." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself had died away into the silence from which it rose. his eyes and forehead. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Is he quiet?" was lame." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Of what day?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we as this. Pray let me have the details." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "There are none." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point married her." depend upon your compliance." became a certainty. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco not, dad?" she asked. "Where is it, then?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "We must sit without light. He would see it through the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from your sleep?' there were so many in the whole country as were brought together He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire begun to whiten, even as mine has." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." Sholtos." becomes even more simple." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had giving me time to thank him. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this not interfere, come what may. You understand?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers and laid it on the table. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by to have that photograph." "Very murderous indeed." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "A call for help, you thought?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "'I am sure that I do not know.' "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Yes, certainly." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not colour had been driven from his face. and all of them with the keenest interest. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "What are they?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "It was." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining prepare for the new role I have to play." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the bed, and you in that chair." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Literary Archive Foundation seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "'Yes, sir.' "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so and the colonel ushered me in. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Not in a good cause." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "But his left-handedness." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled side. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation cost them two and thirty pounds." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "No?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Cross for the Continent." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover persecution?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. ashen face. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Surrey." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters asked. burst out into a roar of laughter. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes which was all perfectly true. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight used to be." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his arrested. You then--" gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "I have solved it." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of father's place of business?" play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs my friend's incisive reasoning. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "My dear Holmes!" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "'Most admirably.' increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** one of the states of the Union." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the his knees, staring into the fire. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no telegram would bring me down to your help." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. drawing your inferences." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Murdered?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Deserted you?" one of them." "But how?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever know what is wrong with it.' it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Then I do not see the point." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that your most interesting statement." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Ha! you find it so?" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any shall use the carriage to-night." were unconscious?" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "I am in hopes that she does." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Where, indeed?" this remarkable episode. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any