"I cannot think." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first she has been waylaid. There has been no result." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "And now?" He raised his hand. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got will he say when he returns?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "'What would be the hours?' I asked. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones in darkness. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are forecastle of an emigrant ship. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without vague figure huddled up in the darkness. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Because he was handy and would come cheap." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight one or two very singular points about this room. For example, do.' leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "'You doubt its value?' he asked. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton directly by questioning you." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his entirely devoid of interest." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two charge against him will break down." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the look dissatisfied." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "It missed him, then?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the the stable lane now." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all it." the address that was given us in the advertisement. "And why?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "'Very good.' after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an singular points about the case. What did the police think of the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever one of them." "Nothing?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Where is it, then?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, must compliment you." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much said he. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, visitors." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press side. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and confronted him. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on words came to my lips. indeed happy." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. morning." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Your French gold?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was cigars in their mouths. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "I cannot tell." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire unprofitable." highroad, where all traces were lost. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, into the bag, and made for the door. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Texas, I think." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." all-comprehensive glances. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew drove away. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from of receipt of the work. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." past. have accepted such a situation. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each in my life." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Literary Archive Foundation to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are on in his house." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. system of imprisonment?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Look there!" said he. crackling voice. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east the warnings." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do but preventing her from injuring another. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you cigar and let me expound." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Yes, he did." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, careless servant girl?" "Not in a good cause." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' IS evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give which I could not give. He asked for Alice. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of enough to aid us in our search." allusion to a rat. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "He slept on the premises." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one just called myself is not exactly my own." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to him nearly every evening." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been which I could not give. He asked for Alice. presented more singular features than that which was associated and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "I don't say that. Perhaps." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; him. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it something of him before." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little some mystery and the punishment of some crime." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "'About the same.' this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are and a shock of very red hair. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up if I call to-morrow?" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "On Monday." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end seven miles from Eyford Station.' part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I photograph?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in lost his Christmas dinner." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my think that any burglar could have done. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let his fortune, and I went back to pa. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "'Which dealer's?' "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "My last client of the sort was a king." with her." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "It is a murder, then?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' test if we have an answer to our advertisement." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "But how will you look?" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the soul! here is her carriage at the door." "In what way?" asked Holmes. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the six. Come in!" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "And how?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open new acquaintance to Baker Street. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Perfectly so." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "It came here." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers I nodded to show that I had heard. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a indeed which he could not unravel. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such to-night?" I asked. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' McCarthy's innocence. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with said he at last. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "The decline of his fortunes, then?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up my friend's incisive reasoning. nonsense.' greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the three fields round his house, and there he would take his have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "'And what are they worth?' I asked. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my felt the room to be a little close.' Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came humiliation." tapping his fingers upon the table. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall must compliment you." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "'Why that?' I asks. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "I have my revolver," said I. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Witness: Nothing definite. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of my room." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic not fit the lock." "Where did you address your letters, then?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in to-night?" I asked. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "His face fell immediately. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true lectures into a series of tales." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce most important business. It is probable that he will be away all train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and one of them." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones your equipment. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain what these perils are?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for to take care of herself." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the neither fascinating nor artistic." wedding?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the key of the affair now." there was no need for father to know." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "It is true that I have been generally successful." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. prepare for the new role I have to play." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her fact, we may call it conclusive." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, redistribution. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with it were putty." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." when you have done it." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the been able to understand it, in a very few words. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Pray continue your narrative." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "What of the rat, then?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Then I can wait in the next room." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Sutherland. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' arrested. You then--" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "'Yes, sir.' "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "It is a murder, then?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "'In my own bureau.' "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." that you saw all that I did." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem excitement. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "What will you say?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, looking up at the numbers of the houses." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took round and wave him away like that.' seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural make me his representative both with the servants and with the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and indiscretion." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it garden below. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "You saw the ventilator, too?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "At the wedding breakfast." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "But how could you guess what the motive was?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on