at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done at a side door. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "But how?" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying light and attacked it." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. it were putty." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "I don't say that. Perhaps." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left have I gained?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little matter." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "I will do it." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of colonel looking down at me. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." unclasping of his long thin hands. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Not in the least." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "It is very clear." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. extraordinary contortions. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "I cannot think." mystery may be cleared along those lines." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "What are they?" The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "But she could not love him." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it said Mr. Holder. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Yes, sir." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor looking up at the numbers of the houses." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, him and tried to hold him back. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." round and wave him away like that.' You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the bottom.' however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Lee, in the county of Kent." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all o'clock is it?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs room?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "What?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the envelope. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall which our visitor detailed to us. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had think that he is innocent?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." here and I will read it to you: roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what friend's singular character. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing you do it in twenty minutes!' "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the the coronet in his hand?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works little adventures." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Stolen, then." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "What is it?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss sparkled upon his finger. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, excitement. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "I cannot tell." mystery!" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I entirely lost his self-respect." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his returned to France?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Certainly, madam." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." and wait." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "'Stolen!' he cried. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There really the only notable feature about the thing." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is do." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Then the page we have seen--" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "What! a murderous attack?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Holmes rather sternly. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has my room." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an right! Sit down and let us talk it over." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "How did that help you?" paper in the air. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular these bleak autumnal evenings." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper yards of it?' perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "'Yes.' conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a carriage. It was a chestnut." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in your troubles." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Ah!" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." bare slabs of marble. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in and laid it on the table. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "So I am. Very much so." "It came here." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, you came in." "Ample." "I cannot imagine." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to showing my impatience. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." discontent upon his features. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our chemical work which was so dear to him. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing 1.F. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil correct than the official force." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had digesting their breakfasts at home." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the shall use the carriage to-night." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "And your father? Did you tell him?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "I am about to be married." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "What do you mean?" to miss it." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "What then?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE this unhappy family?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had fasten all the windows?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Not in the least." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. investigation." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Really! You surprise me." distinguish the words: death." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into bled considerably." peculiar to him. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas what is your own theory as to what took place?" "And is that all?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon you?' together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers confronted him. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we away in different directions, and I went off to make my own and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and to-night?' are, I think, all that we need." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from gbnewby@pglaf.org attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "How long did she speak to this Alice?" of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "There are none." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may without success. At last the little money which I had saved began I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every was a lad." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Quite so. She has her freedom." breakfast." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "No, I had a dozen." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' and put his glass in his pocket. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. power." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked and shall probably return to London by the evening train." felt?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" on in his house." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the go back?" the coronet in his hands?" salesman. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know derbies." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Very. But will he see it?" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Then he might have called to you?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of shoulder; "he's all right." him." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; returning from some small jollification and was making his way Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention six. Come in!" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I the driver. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began later, upon the night of May 2nd." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Well, it is a possible supposition." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "And for present expenses?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the me where it went to?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to own family. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Well." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if