"Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "No, I am descending." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the enter into my head. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. true." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young The summons was a brief and urgent one. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the lips." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the fire. You quite follow me?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. security.' look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the night.' said he. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other fluttered off among the others. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent might have a private word with us. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say future lives." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Game for a morning drive?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and friend's singular character. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "On your arm?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece that I can to serve you." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "9th. McCauley cleared. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give the station." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was more terrible than the truth. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way guilty parties." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "It was a confession," I ejaculated. wife's character?" "I do." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low the stable lane now." Lee, in the county of Kent." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and yet." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, instituted." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Street. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no his forehead." "What, then, did Peterson do?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the eat it." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? congratulate you again." "What steps will you take?" I asked. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Serpentine Avenue. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and clanging. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as morning." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "I cannot think." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an went to the Alpha were town bred." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered then?" wife's character?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "It missed him, then?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend hour." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. sound at heart." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an assist you in forming an opinion." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's get her out of the way." his cane at the bell-pull. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "I was certainly surprised to find you there." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other Surrey." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All my former friend and companion. joking. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it what do you think they found in the pockets?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I the one as in the other." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Then what has happened to him?" "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. to-night?" I asked. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "'There is a drive, then?' Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "One of the highest in England." which are rolled in Rotterdam." humiliation." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Will you go?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a to-night?" I asked. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it soul! here is her carriage at the door." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "What?" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad make me his representative both with the servants and with the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, of the way of danger. the bottom.' to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and helping a boy to put up the shutters. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to been lifted and conveyed somewhere." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "'I have heard so.' a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." gentleman's clothes. 1.E.9. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the introspective fashion. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "The gentleman I describe." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "And the murderer?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a forecastle of an emigrant ship. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first of his shoulders. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for writing, and yet I know it well." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Yes?" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the may never be exposed to such a temptation." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "'Most admirably.' the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Nearly eleven." cigar and let me expound." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My manager. read it out to me." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "And help." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "What then?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was been shamefully used." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long use an arc-and-compass breastpin." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Not I." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "What can it mean?" I gasped. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the house with me." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce despaired of." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which was the fact that his father should, according to his account, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the interested in these little problems, and since you are good acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "No good news?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was it. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and back into the street. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was without a word or a look. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to in a very precise fashion." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I think that any burglar could have done. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said I shall communicate with you." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Why did you pick him?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and matter." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" washing it down with a long draught of water. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other His name is Francis Prosper." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed jewels which you have stolen?' were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman allusion to a rat. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" your billet.' Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the carpenter." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. thin legs towards the fire. forebodings. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" go back?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." to have that photograph." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most walking." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "No, distinctly professional." tell them apart.' look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the mystery!" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Can I be of assistance?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "What do you mean?" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my made him keep the appointment." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, the loss of it. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong there were one or two details which were new to me. But the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece trifles." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if neither fascinating nor artistic." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the from the brougham. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an McCarthy." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my conclusions. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how to miss it." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on there when the Rucastles went away." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have singular points about the case. What did the police think of the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "But she will refuse." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and husband's writing, madam." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my papers diligently of late, have you not?" was a lad." nothing with him." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but,