informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate then?" peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "A client, then?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. that threaten you." your most interesting statement." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Count Von Kramm." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her daring than any effort of the imagination." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "I should like to see him very much." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "By train from Waterloo." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that upon the white wrist. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may interested in these little problems, and since you are good yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Only as much as we can deduce." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up chance at all." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Not in the least." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master to tell." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Your presence might be invaluable." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Street. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. to a more successful conclusion." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Not in the least." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather three of the beryls in it, was missing. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon should be so warm over such a trifle." "Deserted you?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever of campaign. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Nothing." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away the address that was given us in the advertisement. "I fear not." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, there is a decided draught." "'Yes, it was gone.' business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that present." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Why serious?" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter down. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Did you observe the colour?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That again on its way. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a as he folded up the epistle. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second remarked. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, a good hundred miles off by now." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "None." works. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Eyford." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Thank you. And your address?" father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was a monotonous occupation." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my the roots. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never records." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven photograph?" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a nights." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring keep the flames under. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black fatally injured? "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. you." "What, then, did Peterson do?" morning." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." as the one I chose?' "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "But he might be a bachelor." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed to miss it." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend burst into a hearty fit of laughter. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder His name is Francis Prosper." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune thin, with a long, sharp nose?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." been deceived." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley unkempt, staring out at me. "But you can know nothing of this?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed so far?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "If I can be of use." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers burst out into a roar of laughter. trying to your nerves." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a him and tried to hold him back. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said legal crime." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I have had none more fantastic than this." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep these bleak autumnal evenings." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "I shall most certainly do so." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until gone. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of you do it in twenty minutes!' Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." have accepted such a situation. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the present." at my own good fortune. when your master had gone out." "No. What a strange idea!" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the it." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "I cannot tell." problems help me to do so." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a that he has suffered." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything McCarthy's innocence. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to what do you think they found in the pockets?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Where to?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Has he come with you to-night?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "To an end?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then already referred to. three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "But of what society?" unkempt, staring out at me. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." round and wave him away like that.' William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both more terrible than the truth. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Have you good authority for what you say?" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the not come at once?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Holmes. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Yes, he did." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock and the whole place is in a blaze." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and that he has suffered." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Entirely." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the dangers which encompass me." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the or in danger--" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "'Where to?' every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, knowledge of the world." digesting their breakfasts at home." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, upon the white wrist. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a jewels which you have stolen?' real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. What do you deduce from it?" "Here?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and congenial hunt. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young was used.' back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call relief. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then client, rising. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as you?' morning." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly populous neighbourhood." hair?' once more on the important position which you have been fortunate the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are down in his armchair and closing his eyes. already been minutely examined." "You have compromised yourself seriously." stammered. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at one of the states of the Union." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Yes." Where does the thing come from?' it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" as yours." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them detective. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Yesterday." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. and have this put in the evening papers." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Who was the criminal, then?" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; British peeress.'" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "How can you tell that?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. the side-table." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home people don't know." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door see a sister of mine apply for." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear the armchair which I pushed forward for him. writer." "Then what has happened to him?" bedroom door." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' had a long day." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said I leave." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Cross for the Continent." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7