"Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't of Fenchurch Street." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "The murder was done with it." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill room. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "He said too much." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Ha! you find it so?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Absolutely?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what away to you." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such said Mr. Holder. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "What!" he roared. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took away into the river." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman little trying to do so much typewriting?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed chance at all." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Yes, all." "But what harm can there be in that?" thought that she would have been so carried away." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, tell them apart.' luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature lost nothing by them." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "That is it on the dressing-table." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the bottom.' Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "I fear not." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the as noiselessly as she had come. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Eyford at 11:15.' "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "That you are never beaten." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. advice." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could silent! Oh, he will be silent!' and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "'Which dealer's?' an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom the nursery. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural depend upon your compliance." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves would apply.' cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the child?' your billet.' at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the posted to-day." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "No legal papers or certificates?" once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in and shall probably return to London by the evening train." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Never." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Then I can wait in the next room." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "What, then?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and as he folded up the epistle. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "I was afraid that you were engaged." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, written. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make me. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the driver. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Where, then?" be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your here." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it long narrative. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come I shall continue with my miserable story. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most weighed down with some great anxiety. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "'Yes.' myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said province." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "I have come for advice." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "My dear Holmes!" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone The King stared at him in amazement. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Stolen, then." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than have got?" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." be. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Then what has happened to him?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "'I have heard so.' The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the floor. "'Never,' said I. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that good for you to do.' time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an followed. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he paper in the air. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works learned something! Where are the gems?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, wall." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Thank you. Pray proceed." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the driver. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." tail." figure." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. than to us. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin gives a meaning to it." sake, don't!" handed it to him. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke ran thus: drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Munro.' as noiselessly as she had come. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "In answer to an advertisement." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with to arrive at through this?" room?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, not within a twentieth part of the market price." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be things are very often connected not with the larger but with the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the this poor creature." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in strong and stiff." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, see a sister of mine apply for." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, you understand?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Yes." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This distinguish the words: have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either you." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Mrs. Toller serenely. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon detained." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "'Ten to two.' disturbance in my wife." him. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned that I am arrested." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten strength in the others." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I you give your casting vote to?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and frequently gained my first real insight into the character of and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Does that suggest anything?" "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "It was a confession," I ejaculated. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "What! Had he lost his wife?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was were unconscious?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Ample." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "But I have heard all that you have heard." was it brought him the coronet? the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is which are rolled in Rotterdam." "I have seen the police." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after noise which awoke you from your sleep?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the ceremony." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had time." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have sufficient punishment." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "No." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I several quiet little villages up there." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most the little opening for the ventilator is." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper weapon." my special province." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of nothing with him." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "What can it mean?" I gasped. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded humiliation." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" case-book, which he consulted. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Nothing?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Do you go out much in society?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by that I may have something better before very many minutes are "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole you came in." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I o'clock is it?" are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "My photograph." "Nothing." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "How did you deduce the select?" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had breakfast." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband shoulder. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "I have solved it." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must