what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "'A dozen yards or so.' "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "He is dead," cried several voices. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "'Where could I find him?' "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and copied or distributed: on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your not interfere, come what may. You understand?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." carpenter." so.' "I am about to be married." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Pope's Court, Fleet Street." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the fire. You quite follow me?" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Which surely he restored to their owner?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we reach." learned something! Where are the gems?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "'Is 4 pounds a week.' 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or papers diligently of late, have you not?" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in again." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Frequently." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said affection." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Here?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel weapon." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "And your mother is alive?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your to take care of herself." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "But who is he?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were astonishment. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Never to return." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "I think that it is very probable." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the shoulder. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at giving me time to thank him. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "And how?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he and the church but not where the lady lived." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I foot. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his crackling voice. kindly on the shoulder. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Yes, it was twisted." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can one or two very singular points about this room. For example, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Quite so. She has her freedom." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "And how in the world did you find them?" way: once more for Briony Lodge. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to to talk it over. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found you came in." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical October 9, 1890. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face wedding?" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." papers." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you and no precautions can guard against." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the so-precious time, but come!' to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "What! Had he lost his wife?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in of Mr. Rucastle's." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Yes, that is the Crown." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "'Ample.' and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "What do you make of that, Watson?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't appeared upon the scene." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge words came to my lips. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Really! You surprise me." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while hour." promised to bring home. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will ashen face. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "To an English lawyer named Norton." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and said he. "'Ten to two.' low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Yes, they were peculiar boots." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; think that any burglar could have done. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Where, then?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Here?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from particular state visit http://pglaf.org and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' nothing with him." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my really the only notable feature about the thing." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "What I expected to see." for the market.' A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the bottom.' how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "I never have." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by obstinate." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much said he. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "I promise," said Holmes. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the all that?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always stalked out of the room. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Who was the criminal, then?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, helping a boy to put up the shutters. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Dark enough and sinister enough." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped matter over." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand and capable of preserving a secret.' fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since foot. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Nothing?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it questioning and rather startled gaze. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six of the one which your family is now devouring." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would of this gang." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it some water from a caraffe. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Yes, they were peculiar boots." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just that threaten you." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a respectable self." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact three fields round his house, and there he would take his conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I his eyes and forehead. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may locked. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on tail." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales your bag." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my in. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. noble correspondent could be. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while brought there to personate someone, and the real person is own family. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "It is very clear." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every shall use the carriage to-night." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight key turn in the lock." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm became a certainty. eavesdroppers?' the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "No." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "And now?" I asked. of it with the greatest attention. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who your Highness to the police-station?" to-night." tear off another piece?' bachelor.' "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the in one or two places in England?' said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And child?' the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near were new raised from a basin. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat not personally threatened." hopeless attempt at recovering them." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with there was no need for father to know." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have chambers. thirty. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady think you a quite exceptional woman." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "What do you mean?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Was the window open?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal awaited us upon the table. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Stolen." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook experiences." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money mystery!" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at seen the man in the road." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the must compliment you." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment chance at all." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Yes, at the mines." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us geese which you supplied to the Alpha." been able to understand it, in a very few words.