very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This writing, and yet I know it well." "It is solved." "Of Friday, June 19th." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." said he at last. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "No, distinctly professional." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Well." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Who was the criminal, then?" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "And why?" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "But to whom?" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched shag which I had seen upon the previous night. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Not I." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a that I may have something better before very many minutes are the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "But not more so than I to find you." the south-west, I see." "Breckinridge is his name." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "And the murderer?" face and glided from the room. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and horse could go." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do presume?" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "How on earth--" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the bedroom door." "And you can do nothing until then?" which was all perfectly true. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, hardly wander." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a of receipt of the work. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "The best possible." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Where did he live, then?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "That was it, sir." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of husband's writing, madam." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'You cannot say what it was?' leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "But who is he?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was and inquire as to the address." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then I think that I could be of assistance to you." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "'Where to?' those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "So it appears." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "The knees of his trousers." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural south, for the country is more deserted there." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, brandy and water within his reach. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Where is it, then?" depend upon your compliance." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Yes." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Street. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily hopeless attempt at recovering them." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else question. tell him that I know him to be innocent." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "How can you tell that?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It them?" chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. noting anything else of interest. "Pray do so." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "I was afraid that you were engaged." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "It was." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Doctor, of the paper and the date." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "I have a cab outside." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in writer." "'Yes.' the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it points to suicide?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real wedding?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "But not more so than I to find you." Pope's Court. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Just look it up, then." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of for its centre. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came His smile broadened. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has him and tried to hold him back. is acting for the best. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Where to?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." compunction about shooting them down." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." weary and pale-looking. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the room while you explain this matter?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Yes, sir." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Just look it up, then." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so was a perfect sample of the class. "What office?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." to tackle the facts." "Which are?" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "By no means." not, dad?" she asked. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was was the fact that his father should, according to his account, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his you want, then?' recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "You have the photograph?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less the coroner come to?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Entirely." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one do.' Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my fish-monger and a tide-waiter." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, galvanised. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by fait accompli?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "And is that all?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait until night should bring an explanation. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." just ask you whether you had heard it.' "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "How often?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but was the fact that his father should, according to his account, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "I was mad--insane." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a death." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" the side-table." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "The Cedars?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for least a fellow-countryman. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the address that was given us in the advertisement. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Not social, then?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought best detective that ever lived. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "How many? I don't know." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not new acquaintance to Baker Street. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I wedding?" horse could go." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Certainly." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes points to suicide?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "How about poison?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, it means?" and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll when your master had gone out." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." too. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Pray continue your narrative." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss have established a very serious case against the son of the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'Which dealer's?' 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." think you a quite exceptional woman." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and at once, for I have only half an hour." "And you can do nothing until then?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "A thing like a cleaver," said he. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of careless servant girl?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. delighted to hear it," he said. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps detective. them present such singular features as the strange train of and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "But his left-handedness." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. sofa. This way, please!" very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "I was afraid that you were engaged." "In what way?" asked Holmes. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "But the mystery?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" been able to understand it, in a very few words. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "What do you mean?" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at done what I asked you, Jones?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the disappearance of the bride.'" "But of what society?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which daring than any effort of the imagination." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the jewels which you have stolen?' "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, his forehead." you for a few hours?" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but arrested. You then--" morning." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same standing smiling on the door-step. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so chill to my heart. the matter?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Holmes' face clouded over. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society I am not easy in my mind about them." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. noting anything else of interest. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "A call for help, you thought?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be relation between them, and what the object of his repeated man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, at a side door. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "When did she vanish, then?" an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "'Yes.' "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before redistribution. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip the nursery. Sutherland?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is indeed which he could not unravel. "The Cedars?" "I am about to be married." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked may never be exposed to such a temptation." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. started for the Temple to see my husband. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and late." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave overpowering excitement and concern. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My bird I ate is country bred." once more to my work. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one cause to be." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy