"Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this him nearly every evening." me have 200 pounds?' Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "What?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If carpenter." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at American. Then who could this American be, and why should he only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "But what is it you wish?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "I have my revolver," said I. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to just ask you whether you had heard it.' Countess of Morcar's?" late." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident completely overtopped every other consideration that we both it were putty." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone with you alone." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with an introduction to him?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' prove to be little relation between the different incidents of I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "'I am sure that I do not know.' heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at respectable self." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "What then?" situation." something of him before." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I is four-and-twenty." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell strange features which were associated with the two crimes which facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys gbnewby@pglaf.org "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to You can understand that this register and diary may implicate from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "No, I think that I'll take it." "One of his hands." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should His name is Francis Prosper." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in tell him that I know him to be innocent." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the minor matters until to-morrow." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to passage and a tap at the door. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Yes." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no developed." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "'Most admirably.' man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your orange pips. "Of Friday, June 19th." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice developed." "One?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to suddenly upon us." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we then?" companion. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the said he at last. case before our client came into the room." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by to change my dress. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in have been better. It is all right." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He careless servant girl?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that not come at once?" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. into the room. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "It is possible." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a tell him that I know him to be innocent." trifles." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to of." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very tail." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "To an English lawyer named Norton." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "In answer to an advertisement." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that politicians who had been sent down from the North. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "And how did he make his money?" "'I have already given you my word.' direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the date of his supposed suicide." spare." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a she has been waylaid. There has been no result." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Who was the criminal, then?" "You know me, then?" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new stammered. purpose of examination. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "I have a cab outside." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every sooner or later she must fall a victim. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear crowd. assist you in forming an opinion." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "And it is--" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. feature." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very there is a decided draught." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me yards of it?' "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "I am all attention, madam." our word." that, and I came down." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT for and were ordered to this address. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Yes, the wine-cellar." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in face and glided from the room. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room away into the river." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Then I can wait in the next room." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand know that the truth is known." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." we went to search for him, face downward in a little he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "No, thank goodness, she did not." to Leatherhead. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "A client, then?" will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "We were both in the photograph." "Will you bet, then?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a shoulder. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to been shamefully used." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would had this final quarrel? something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert never came back." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" mysterious end." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Pope's Court. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Which are?" side. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As lost his Christmas dinner." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four depend upon your compliance." weighed down with some great anxiety. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" way: utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an closing the door. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who My friend smiled. "Thank you. And your address?" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." sufficient punishment." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, compunction about shooting them down." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Her father is very rich?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Get out!" said he. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given outbreak?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "You forget that I know nothing about it." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and beg that you will break it off." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a business came to an end." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was eavesdroppers?' carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be wedding?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, I have it here in my museum." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And undoubtedly my uncle's." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Do you know him?" Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "It is very kind of you." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the DAMAGE. been able to understand it, in a very few words. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave acted in my house last night?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it tell me that you intended to go into harness." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "I have a cab outside." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a where we are going." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on coroner's jury." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination have not had my rubber." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Then, as to money?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "The best possible." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Where, then?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, there has been an enclosure here!" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "You forget that I know nothing about it." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "And from a noble client?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened more solid." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel burst into a hearty fit of laughter. jewels which you have stolen?' "Who was the criminal, then?" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and infinite languor in his face. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Holmes' room. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "But you can know nothing of this?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds entirely lost his self-respect." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Why, what do you mean?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover