make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is help us in this matter." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an notes," he said. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "It missed him, then?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "But his left-handedness." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and his eyes and forehead. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "And the cigar-holder?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "What will you do, then?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until 'I should be able to look after that for you.' if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a to arrive at through this?" used to be." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I here and I will read it to you: I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." For additional contact information: give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Your sister is dead, then?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch lumber-room." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not himself in a perplexing position. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a The King stared at him in amazement. morning." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Only as much as we can deduce." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "And how did he make his money?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" allusion to a rat. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to to change my dress. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: existence." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "They are typewritten," I remarked. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in questionable one." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. that you can jump it.' "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, him nearly every evening." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the there was no need for father to know." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's your Highness to the police-station?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Pray continue your narrative." "What I expected to see." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "And help." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Oh, fresh and glossy." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his I have it here in my museum." few hundred pounds.' "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "'I am sure if I had known--' "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Count Von Kramm." "By no means." the Assizes." have accepted such a situation. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was should be so warm over such a trifle." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be room. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do when you have done it." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at hair?' upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." chair. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She signal between you and your father? rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong rooms." wanted for ourselves." introspective fashion. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the morning." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in enter into my head. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "One?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which rose-bushes. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "So I heard. You have him here?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." take the flies, but not before." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his for the market.' out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of recall any case within my experience which looked at the first photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up said Mr. Holder. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "No." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the up this clue while it is still hot." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Won't it ring?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Holmes. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." that you can jump it.' though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name companion. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" again before evening." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to begin with, and I had not got mine yet." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "That is also quite modern," said the lady. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "But how could you guess what the motive was?" salesman. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "VIOLET HUNTER." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "I am still in the dark." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any respectable self." business came to an end." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "It was an hour's good drive." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep could gather together that I was able to avert another public but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility kindly on the shoulder. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I distinguish the words: and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any least a most suspicious remark." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were hereditary King of Bohemia." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of in a very precise fashion." "It is possible." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the child?' The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country legal crime." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I one of the states of the Union." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every business matters.' noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the purpose of examination. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper were new raised from a basin. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and tail." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most once more for Briony Lodge. your own bird, so if you wish--" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "You saw the ventilator, too?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they details should find their way into the papers. Inspector as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "I was mad--insane." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to sufficient punishment." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "It goes to the housekeeper's room." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "I am still in the dark." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Well?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on served to weaken the effect. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, read over the extraordinary announcement. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He drove away. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime families. Now for the facts. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. your billet.' understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "'Is purely nominal.' bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, said he. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where this unhappy family?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Ah!" Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to God! What an exposure! What can I do?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured words came to my lips. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Murdered?" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "What! Had he lost his wife?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You in his power. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin even so self-evident a thing as that." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, despaired of." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden south, for the country is more deserted there." "The murder was done with it." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "But your client--" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that really the only notable feature about the thing." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be me where it went to?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was fat-encircled eyes. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "My own seal." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "On Monday." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their what is your own theory as to what took place?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "And what did you see?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." My friend smiled. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in remarked. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I cigar and let me expound." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found were new raised from a basin.