crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Heh?' "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "The best possible." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "What office?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower in a very precise fashion." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass affair. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and to-night." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend as he folded up the epistle. bell. Holmes whistled. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind must be when I saw the door open.' "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Awake, Watson?" he asked. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will way in." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found this remarkable episode. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive paper in the air. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement be. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "That is not always so easy." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "No good news?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our instincts rose up against that laugh. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning pity, because in other respects you would really have done very success. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Never." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of think that he is innocent?" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort business." never will be, entirely cleared up. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" wife's character?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. never will be, entirely cleared up. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me himself. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the forbidden door. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "I am sure." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there was feeling which was the fattest.' gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke you?' I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "She will not sell." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Game for a morning drive?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal ran thus: premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your indeed happy." dear old homesteads?" you for a few hours?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps as noiselessly as she had come. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an morning." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is some terrible trap for her." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "The Coroner: What do you mean? "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque rooms." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double the salesman. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. arrested. You then--" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never one which it was hard to resist. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "And the murderer?" "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of down in his armchair and closing his eyes. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any works. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Not in a good cause." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or really the only notable feature about the thing." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and conduct the inquiry." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "I beg pardon." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the nursery. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "What then?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any The telegram which we eventually received came late one night down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't in one or two places in England?' derbies." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too upon a handsome competence. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a on re-entering her father's house?" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone look upon these things in a different way." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Stolen, then." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "I assure you that I am in your hands." lumber-room." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." I. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was becomes even more simple." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "I have solved it." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to some terrible trap for her." "Yes." quick march!" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. few hundred pounds.' that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "And why?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Nothing." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the girl said." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were you." this Miss Turner." to Leatherhead. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a her also." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, is worth.' address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' But Holmes shook his head gravely. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Whose house is it?" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "How many? I don't know." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in do.' "And how in the world did you find them?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag call for protection in the marriage market, for the present an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is keep the flames under. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Oh, the cause is excellent!" the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one his grey eyes. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil mystery!" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his redistribution. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a believe that I should never have any practice at all. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, floor. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently me upon any point which I do not make clear." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "To ruin me." forecastle of an emigrant ship. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. prisoner's face. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, thought that she would have been so carried away." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Did you become engaged then?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year back into the street. "My own seal." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Certainly." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Then you may entirely rely on me." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can is," said he presently: "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set written, and locked the door of the office after me. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance carriage. It was a chestnut." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "A thing like a cleaver," said he. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "My Mary? Impossible!" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door suggested at once that there must be a communication between the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that chambers. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to searched, without anything being found which could incriminate marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a him. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Holmes' face clouded over. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land him." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a was feeling which was the fattest.' "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is to arrive at through this?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "But how?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, lamp in his hand. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "'And the work?' I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "We have tried and failed." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he your bag." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I means taking possession of that which another person has a prior I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Perfectly so." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Of what day?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief strong reason behind." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for furiously. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I main points of my analysis." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "And I to find an enemy." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew carpenter." I leave." through." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous should be taken.' he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, photograph?" greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Pray continue your narrative." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a strange features which were associated with the two crimes which the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an IS I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "No." excitement. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "You will not go there first?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend for securing the situation." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "He disappeared so suddenly." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "I should be immensely obliged to you." tear off another piece?' very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. security.'