other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New drove away. "To the police?" in my life." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "An accident, I presume?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "And did you observe any change in her then?" his face which made him a very different person to the round, "I have my revolver," said I. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "In answer to an advertisement." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "'What do you call purely nominal?' I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that became a certainty. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. letters?" newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in points to suicide?" extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, out of this horrible affair." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office guilty parties." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "The knees of his trousers." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. are, and they are waiting for us." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "'About the same.' "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his go back?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "My own seal." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "It is half-past ten now." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Certainly." the best of training." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "What?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were their singular warning or token before them when starting upon half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily was not a bird to be seen there. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual have accepted such a situation. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year neither fascinating nor artistic." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where intrusion of other matters." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." your troubles." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to conduct the inquiry." "The vanishing of the lady." II. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly said he, "my real name is James Ryder." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by to some other building. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge helping a boy to put up the shutters. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "10th. John Swain cleared. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A cheerful." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or The summons was a brief and urgent one. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole most important business. It is probable that he will be away all by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. to-night?" I asked. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I am following you closely," I answered. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late existence." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Oh, yes, easily." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. forebodings. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could arrangements." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in not within a twentieth part of the market price." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are opened a pocket-book and took out a note. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which is acting for the best. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am in one or two places in England?' a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured with frightened eyes at his accuser. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Here?" delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "And your father? Did you tell him?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Yes, sir." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole me where it went to?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features shag which I had seen upon the previous night. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with them?" which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "You heard nothing yourself last night?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say could gather together that I was able to avert another public "A call for help, you thought?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage situation." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Yes." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "He is dead," cried several voices. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous room?" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Come in!" said he. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already better grown goose." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that thirty. "And why in hopes?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or bachelor.' morning." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, notes," he said. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Did your wife hear all this?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Yes, I have one waiting." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "You horrify me." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite come either from the window or the door. My attention was 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be the stable lane now." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Nothing." "Have you her photograph?" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "'Then let me do so?' developed." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it one's self under obligations.' delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, the ceiling. the house with me." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "No legal papers or certificates?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "What, then?" 1.F. you." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His laugh and put his lips to my ear. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute thirty. name is different." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Holmes' thin, eager face. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some instincts rose up against that laugh. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock which our visitor detailed to us. "And is that all?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for hopeless attempt at recovering them." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. in him." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an to tackle the facts." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "'Never.' dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "It must be recovered." "So I am. Very much so." congratulate you again." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman the very morning of the wedding." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which arrangements." the matter?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go envelope. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Count Von Kramm." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Really! You surprise me." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the south-west, I see." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Yes." for and were ordered to this address. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "It is solved." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "If I can be of use." cigar and let me expound." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have habit of advancing money.' "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "What?" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something been anything against him. He had for years been known as a death." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at outside." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their with you alone." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "How did he come?" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook examine." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "None." "Ten will be early enough." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here and that he would see to anything that turned up. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend gone. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Then I shall certainly come." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the examine." coroner's jury." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "The gentleman I describe." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I a room. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the which we had just quitted. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "'It is locked up,' I answered. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be interest. They are important, you understand, without being would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "And the murderer?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "But how?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 to-night?" I asked. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "It is no ordinary one." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place be.' incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was standing smiling on the door-step. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to