"It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "One horse?" interjected Holmes. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me lips." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "How did you trace it, then?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "I guessed as much." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "'Certainly not.' the stable lane now." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less it. "My own seal." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a voice, changing her seat as requested. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at noble correspondent could be. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Did your wife hear all this?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of arms and began to sob in a high treble key. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Stolen, then." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of him." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "No, I am descending." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and 1.F. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. back to my heart. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father stood on the top of it. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. fire. You quite follow me?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Entirely." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "No, finished." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and During two years I have had three consultations and one small several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which *** START: FULL LICENSE *** electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Ah, but I was recommended to you." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual there were so many in the whole country as were brought together round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is you in your example." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my more solid." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He call for it in person on Monday morning.' be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "'It is locked up,' I answered. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the little opening for the ventilator is." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence laugh and put his lips to my ear. neither fascinating nor artistic." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "And who is her maid?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a know that the truth is known." the matter." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I it were putty." appointment with me for six o'clock?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "'Never,' said I. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, me." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "She told me to ask you." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." http://gutenberg.net/license). "I fear not." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "The King of Scandinavia." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only be. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country constraint." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, village inn over there?" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "But it has twice been burgled." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "But it has twice been burgled." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, entirely devoid of interest." "What!" he roared. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he without success. At last the little money which I had saved began gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be particular state visit http://pglaf.org "But your client--" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if there!' go from here to the Strand." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in call for protection in the marriage market, for the present large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the hard-headed British jury." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan For additional contact information: separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, new acquaintance to Baker Street. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen details should find their way into the papers. Inspector unclasping of his long thin hands. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. me. You must get home instantly and act." Heh?' All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "I assure you that I am in your hands." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an gone before you can get him to hospital." "'I have already given you my word.' joking. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. that I am arrested." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across events, Mr. Windibank!" tell him that I know him to be innocent." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked father's place of business?" "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been laugh and put his lips to my ear. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my any more." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "But what will you do?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at remarked. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of me." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "You have a clue?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't one of them." I shall communicate with you." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. in darkness. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then pressing in one house as in another. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "I was afraid that you were engaged." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Game for a morning drive?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "My own seal." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he would then never go into court at all." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank forehead. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." not personally threatened." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried words came to my lips. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. to-night." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "'I shall certainly be there.' get the tickets." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "You have but to name it." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I pictures, libraries, or plate. in a friendly supper." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," for its centre. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend colonel looking down at me. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me past. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' we went to search for him, face downward in a little think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his highroad, where all traces were lost. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "The gentleman I describe." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in politicians who had been sent down from the North. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Come in!" said he. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Of what?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the careless servant girl?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Very truly yours, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was outside. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." out of this horrible affair." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and John Swain, of St. Augustine. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Yes." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Then, as to money?" must be when I saw the door open.' dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "You'll never persuade me to believe that." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was you." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "'Tell me all about it,' said I. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of derbies." society." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "What I expected to see." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get politicians who had been sent down from the North. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple point in the dark hollow of his hand. point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly from the brougham. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "'And what salary do you ask?' given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "I think it very unlikely." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was questioning and rather startled gaze. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, is worth.' about here speaks of his kindness to him." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Dr. Becher's." Gutenberg-tm License. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier him!" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as it right.' here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her without a word or a look. do.' Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall said he. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon chance at all." row." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, developed." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round intrusion of other matters." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to London for the present?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else should be taken.' She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. that?' "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "No legal papers or certificates?" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? DAMAGE. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. wanted for ourselves." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "You have but to name it." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "It is no ordinary one." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some never will be, entirely cleared up. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped I think that I could be of assistance to you." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. other lovers by making love himself." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, that he will be back before evening." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Sholtos."