"'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will points to suicide?" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to Pool. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the presented more singular features than that which was associated so.' Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Leadenhall Street--and--" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. I shall communicate with you." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "But how?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. death." "'Certainly not.' calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by minor matters until to-morrow." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It and inquire as to the address." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did forbidden door. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew child?' developed." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "You are hungry," I remarked. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would have established a very serious case against the son of the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." events than those which have happened in my own family." "I assure you that I am in your hands." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. get her out of the way." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "'And what salary do you ask?' fattened it expressly for you.' would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Where, indeed?" without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I lost nothing by them." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Upon what point?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in strong and stiff." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" to tackle the facts." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "He might." "Was he the only applicant?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had your sleep?' petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Precisely." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "That's no good." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too in the port of London." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. congratulate you again." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "I am still in the dark." "And how did he make his money?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my and all of them with the keenest interest. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps visitors." a monotonous occupation." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Her father is very rich?" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "But how did you gain them?" importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite foot. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "No bad?" the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored away into the river." fait accompli?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "A client, then?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss for the market.' "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not outside. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Yes, sir." "Nothing?" questioning and rather startled gaze. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "And how did he make his money?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "It is very kind of you." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "You will not go there first?" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the will he say when he returns?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the in my life." the warnings." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Where, then?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "No, distinctly professional." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged little adventures." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Nothing." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with seem to you to be relevant or not." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "My private note-paper." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Stolen." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the ventilator." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." on re-entering her father's house?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" down. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the outbreak?" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for room. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "He is still with you, I presume?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Of Friday, June 19th." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Yes. He waved his hands." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the was feeling which was the fattest.' "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "But the mystery?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, done what I asked you, Jones?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "When did she vanish, then?" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come nothing of it?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the could not have written that. It is the German who is so "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge closely." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "When did it break out?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to families. Now for the facts. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has up this clue while it is still hot." "You think that he is dead?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "You will not go there first?" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the to-morrow." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it lids now and glanced across at his visitor. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Chief Executive and Director living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in more terrible than the truth. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "The doctor?" is," said he presently: "It is solved." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "You are all wrong." make me his representative both with the servants and with the sofa. This way, please!" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that you, my dear young lady?' with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "'There is a drive, then?' "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already bled considerably." paper in the air. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' the stones. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Yes, only one." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "It is a murder, then?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "No." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Countess of Morcar's?" coat-tails." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he You want to know what became of those geese?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was for the market.' slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "The murder was done with it." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now that to affect your life." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, into the bag, and made for the door. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Has he come with you to-night?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Clair, of Lee." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my this man was intellectual?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Just look it up, then." cigars in the box." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact information in his hands the value of which he did not himself and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." exactly what you advise." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. man. I know him from the photograph." "And did you observe any change in her then?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained salesman. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. the south-west, I see." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Serpentine Avenue. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it green of the new foliage. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Eyford." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Where, then?" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My to have been novel and of interest." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one had picked up in the wood. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. the bottom.' inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel