"'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. instincts rose up against that laugh. some terrible trap for her." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were could gather together that I was able to avert another public have established a very serious case against the son of the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His discontent upon his features. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "'I have heard so.' "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Watson," he said cordially. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was your most interesting statement." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "What of the rat, then?" "By train from Waterloo." too. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they empty. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, answer." "No?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are seven miles from Eyford Station.' said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Perhaps we may make them less so." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's way in everything. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Married! When?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "And your mother is alive?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof shoulder. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "How did you deduce the select?" province." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in used to be." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I see many objections to any such theory." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as subject to the trademark license, especially commercial thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and unprofitable." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day and no precautions can guard against." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in tension within him. "Stolen." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." drove away. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, corner of the building. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late wall." been able to understand it, in a very few words. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "I would pay ten." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which recall any case within my experience which looked at the first here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return the address that was given us in the advertisement. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." voice. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" feature." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, yet." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "'How far from the body?' think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "None." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt enough to aid us in our search." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her paper in the air. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Precisely so. But how--" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the must compliment you." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "That is not always so easy." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I should like to see him very much." your billet.' a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout prisoner's face. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "'Yes, I promise.' of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "What then?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "One of his hands." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue breakfast?" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. companion quietly. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "A client, then?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his as noiselessly as she had come. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not hereditary King of Bohemia." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Where, then?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote call the police, let the police find what they can.' pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Not in the least." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "What then?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of mystery may be cleared along those lines." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily matter." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "What have you to say now?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He bearing upon the case." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the later, upon the night of May 2nd." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors open." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was the night.' the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major lamp. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is His smile broadened. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite not, dad?" she asked. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "On your arm?" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be at a side door. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it respectable self." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "My dear Holmes!" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "My opinion is in no way altered." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes which our visitor detailed to us. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is bore every mark of being an average commonplace British had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The DAMAGE. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. narrative." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the soul! here is her carriage at the door." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of since then to throw any light upon what became of him." up this clue while it is still hot." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as October 9, 1890. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Yes, there are nearly always some there." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to question. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double skylight. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My that, and I came down." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Leadenhall Street--and--" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads mysterious business." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. know that the truth is known." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Then I do not see the point." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the coronet in his hands?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "I say that I have solved it." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we distance from the station, and there we found the young lady outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." chill to my heart. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Yes." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a the iron safe, which he closed upon it. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. again before evening." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall at home. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "That's no good." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took have been better. It is all right." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "'Is purely nominal.' presented more singular features than that which was associated behind me. Cross for the Continent." points to suicide?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might there when the Rucastles went away." go from here to the Strand." character. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Certainly." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." point in the dark hollow of his hand. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Holmes. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Yes." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of lumber-room." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the that I am arrested." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Will you bet, then?" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Just look it up, then." "I cannot tell." who was a member of your goose club." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as off." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize placed his cuttings. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We meant it for the best. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Won't it ring?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.'