traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the you in your example." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a colonel looking down at me. noble correspondent could be. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the against a man in the prime of life?" "To the police?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Not in the least." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital extraordinary contortions. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a brain must have something in it." "What can it mean?" I gasped. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then the driver. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Where, then?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" fuss that is made over them." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' maiden herself was most instructive." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "No, finished." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Why serious?" The King stared at him in amazement. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "One horse?" interjected Holmes. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We soul! here is her carriage at the door." have one." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." everything which you would wish to know." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Then I am your man." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband opened the door, and slipped through. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to undoubtedly my uncle's." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "I am in hopes that she does." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very cup of tea. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in that he will be back before evening." "Where, then, is my wife?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very I. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' me where it went to?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend 11:15.' "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Stoke Moran." to-night?" I asked. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are 11:15.' red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed some mystery and the punishment of some crime." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "About a month then." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the over here." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "What is it?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Holmes' room. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, could go. waste of energy." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and throat." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." it means?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman ways of our fellow-men." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "She walked into the breakfast-room." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as gbnewby@pglaf.org narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Entirely." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and door?" this poor creature." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: bird of prey. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "The landlord of the Alpha." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming means taking possession of that which another person has a prior that before taking the final step I should like to submit the fait accompli?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "I cannot tell." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "No, I am descending." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed do you make of it all?" fatally injured? though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "'Yes.' offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "What is it?" "My opinion is in no way altered." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the your bag." "But not more so than I to find you." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must The police have openly confessed that they can at present make fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we second." little adventures." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Yes, from Horsham." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; I think that I could be of assistance to you." "'What, the red-headed man?' for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. been able to understand it, in a very few words. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "It must be recovered." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous was it brought him the coronet? "I have my revolver," said I. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic knowledge of the world." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the stammered. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "What, then?" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took locked. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "To an English lawyer named Norton." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you in one or two places in England?' would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the wedding?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. the warnings." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "'And the work?' washing it down with a long draught of water. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features questionable one." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "The rest you will leave in our hands." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the formed some opinion?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "We must sit without light. He would see it through the too. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "'And what are they worth?' I asked. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "His face fell immediately. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we depend upon my doing so.' reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and begun to whiten, even as mine has." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and upon the shelf for the interim." "'Entirely.' 1.E.9. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any hard-headed British jury." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this and capable of preserving a secret.' you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "But how?" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. ordinary clothes on?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "I know where it is." desk. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. feature." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of chance at all." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project passage and a tap at the door. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." foresight and the moral retrogression?" not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "'Is purely nominal.' "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK a suggestive one." suddenly upon us." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of you want, then?' You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "It is his hat." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Nor running a chance of arrest?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. developed." again, where I was soon asleep. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "That sounds a little paradoxical." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of away in different directions, and I went off to make my own highroad, where all traces were lost. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a at my own good fortune. "Yes, that is the Crown." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. himself. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at papers diligently of late, have you not?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "The Cedars?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "How are you getting on?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came new duties?' "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my carriage. It was a chestnut." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Of Friday, June 19th." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" assist you in forming an opinion." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "No, I had a dozen." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, of Fenchurch Street." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "A call for help, you thought?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will pierced for earrings?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" fishes. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I companion. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "'Which dealer's?' one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "You know me, then?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there views." may have an influence upon European history." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had this poor creature." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Precisely." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a been lifted and conveyed somewhere." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch case before our client came into the room." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he happened." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "When did she vanish, then?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. key of the affair now." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Certainly, madam." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the walking." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third your own bird, so if you wish--" electronic works have accepted such a situation. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of