is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, society." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Never." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked really the only notable feature about the thing." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of child?' heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated me. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "I never have." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." for securing the situation." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But would then never go into court at all." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for not come at once?" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his pictures, libraries, or plate. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? in this note: Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for infinite languor in his face. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you at my remark. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "What can you not understand?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "I was afraid that you were engaged." "But his lameness?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "'Entirely.' "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. up this clue while it is still hot." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "But you would not advise me to refuse?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. in a very precise fashion." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "It is true that I have been generally successful." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who derbies." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "It must be recovered." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" on in his house." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but companion quietly. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses lectures into a series of tales." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by or other trace. But how on earth--" strength of mind to control. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." trifles." learned something! Where are the gems?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "I have a cab outside." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased a few minutes he said that it would be all right. from you?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been prison!" keep the flames under. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, this man was intellectual?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Yes, only one." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder you?" idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a could go. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Has he come with you to-night?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I at home. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, very morning of my second wedding." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "An accident, I presume?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me imbecility!" he cried. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a prisoner's face. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I not come at once?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my I shall communicate with you." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of official police." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this had formerly been in part my own. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** bill, which interests me deeply." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of bonnet, and went out." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "And how did you verify them?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "It surprised me." call for it in person on Monday morning.' round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her digesting their breakfasts at home." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Tired-looking or fresh?" made him keep the appointment." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. remarked. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. brain must have something in it." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. said I. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a said I. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the of the way of danger. empty. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the despaired of." His smile broadened. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a His smile broadened. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, that there was nothing in it, after all." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Count Von Kramm." these bleak autumnal evenings." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "I assure you that I am in your hands." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Then I do not see the point." "That is possible." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred Foundation ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Then I do not see the point." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "She will not sell." to-night's adventure." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "None." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "He might." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "And I to find an enemy." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." speckled band?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to introspective fashion. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. with frightened eyes at his accuser. before the coroner and the police-court." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Yes, but only for you and me." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez tapping his fingers upon the table. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "No, my brougham is waiting." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock derbies." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan was a lad." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been chair. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "It is very clear." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "I beg pardon." call you and give you the chance." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your dead, shall be safe with us." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke that I may have something better before very many minutes are we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then *** START: FULL LICENSE *** brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. the Red-headed League." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Then, as to money?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, better grown goose." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the been with you?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest your troubles." results." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "'It is locked up,' I answered. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I say it is." against a man in the prime of life?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, manager. "'I have heard so.' this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a garden below. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ ceremony." you do it in twenty minutes!' seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "You have carte blanche." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could case-book, which he consulted. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general fatally injured? "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and think that he is innocent?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "And your mother is alive?" Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Not particularly." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of learned something! Where are the gems?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt have not had my rubber." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was front of me. "If I can be of use." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down off." writer." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "How did you deduce the select?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "'And what salary do you ask?' - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his prison!" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, little adventures." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Pope's Court. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that certainly do as you advise."