Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Of what?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." narrative." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my the morning and make my own way in the world.' pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "But you have hopes?" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the electronic works which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one meant." round with crates and massive boxes. "Eh? What was that?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about so far?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I of this gang." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of joking. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of But Holmes shook his head gravely. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "'Yes.' and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "'Which dealer's?' into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he invisible to me," I remarked. a room. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly it." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. rat could hardly pass through." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three himself to tell his story. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon round and wave him away like that.' already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have do.' they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were them?" to some other building. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Ample." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Henry Baker is a member." entirely lost his self-respect." "Where, then, is my wife?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "What office?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring front of me. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing clang of the bell. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could emerged. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, John Swain, of St. Augustine. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the very old mansion. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Never." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Yes, all." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the devil!" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he train from Paddington which would bring you there at about little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "And you don't know his address?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much bare slabs of marble. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Nothing." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "To the police?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an anything to do with the matter?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a to-morrow." get the tickets." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "I cannot say that I have." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "He slept on the premises." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All late!' on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "How many? I don't know." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "And the cigar-holder?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are existence." "And you don't know his address?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third emerged. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' not come at once?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute heavily into it. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which very morning of my second wedding." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "No good news?" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "It is half-past ten now." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias shoulder. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn woven round him. compunction about shooting them down." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "No." "That is easily got." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. her also." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm and inquire as to the address." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not me, and I could not think that his explanation of the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "I answered that I had not. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you points to suicide?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with behind me. Farm upon the left." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Gutenberg-tm License. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing power." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Certainly." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "What have you to say now?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to said I. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will guilty parties." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Stoke Moran?" said he. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and call it cruel." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of maiden herself was most instructive." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." himself to hunt down. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong best detective that ever lived. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. matters immensely." hereditary King of Bohemia." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. noble correspondent could be. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, The King stared at him in amazement. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we strong and stiff." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Surrey." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Quite so." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Here?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE been with you?" Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "'There is a drive, then?' visitors." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Dirty?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Did you become engaged then?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Awake, Watson?" he asked. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which believe that I should never have any practice at all. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "'About the same.' "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said better in every way that they should make their position a little with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you drawing your inferences." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Dirty?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea fishes. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness the armchair which I pushed forward for him. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to which we had just quitted. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, over part of the map. "What do you read?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices unkempt, staring out at me. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. politicians who had been sent down from the North. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "It is true that I have been generally successful." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "From his hat?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of to some other building. washing it down with a long draught of water. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate the so-precious time, but come!' that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers happened." case before our client came into the room." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "I am about to be married." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "It is his hat." the general public were present, then?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin of the way of danger. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "And how?" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the begun to whiten, even as mine has." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly dates and names. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "That is it on the dressing-table." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you out." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow you." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for tell him that I know him to be innocent." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for make me his representative both with the servants and with the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. it right.' "It was a confession," I ejaculated. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "What is it, then--a fire?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. which was all perfectly true. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence cup of tea. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "And I to find an enemy." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good lost nothing by them." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned corner of the building. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." future lives." London for the present?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at future lives." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" is now desirous of getting those letters back." criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Count Von Kramm." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "The Coroner: What do you mean? maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a all-comprehensive glances. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "And for present expenses?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous call for it in person on Monday morning.' over with notes and figures. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own their singular warning or token before them when starting upon landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a fire. You quite follow me?" "'Which dealer's?' no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles remarked. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "It is solved." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "I should be immensely obliged to you." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night.