appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be I took the paper from him and read as follows: on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Clair, of Lee." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? wanted for ourselves." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he affair. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the relief. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "That is possible." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "No?" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. in darkness. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "And how did you verify them?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Whose house is it?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and cup of tea. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. fuss that is made over them." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. man. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man call the police, let the police find what they can.' life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is been shamefully used." "Witness: It was. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was crime." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." of the vacancies.' with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us wedding?" of your young ladies.' slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. think that any burglar could have done. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me was a lad." "None." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "To an end?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the thin legs towards the fire. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, green of the new foliage. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "'Quite sure, dad.' doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an call for protection in the marriage market, for the present southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the peculiar to him. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Always." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was he. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Dark enough and sinister enough." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Never." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Was your sister dressed?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his second window is the one that I jumped from." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard intrusion of other matters." just ask you whether you had heard it.' a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle on re-entering her father's house?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' me. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A sit on the left-hand side of the driver." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who he. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Lestrade of Scotland Yard." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "He said too much." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a up this clue while it is still hot." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "What have you to say now?" "You think so, too?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an daring than any effort of the imagination." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "To ruin me." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "I have my revolver," said I. delirious. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "'Entirely.' mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said too. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "I cannot say that I have." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "How did you deduce the select?" answer." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, indeed which he could not unravel. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the depend upon my doing so.' initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united what I may call a really hard day's work." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in always that they were such commands as a lady might with The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak good for you to do.' with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and father's young wife. "I should be immensely obliged to you." arrangements." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a said he, "my real name is James Ryder." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. any." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." question. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Deserted you?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, of campaign. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. and put his glass in his pocket. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." directly by questioning you." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry there was no need for father to know." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "None. Neville wrote those words." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow official police." an introduction to him?" and the church but not where the lady lived." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "No. What a strange idea!" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. as the one I chose?' should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." vault. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Yes." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "And the cigar-holder?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "So I heard. You have him here?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "I will, Miss Turner." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, that I may have something better before very many minutes are "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "It must be recovered." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I meant." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us assist you in forming an opinion." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought point in the dark hollow of his hand. and the church but not where the lady lived." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Nothing?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Where, then?" better in every way that they should make their position a little and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "'Certainly not. But why?' and a shock of very red hair. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "I do." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a of your young ladies.' out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of bill, which interests me deeply." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. other means.' "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man forecastle of an emigrant ship. were unconscious?" "I say it is." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you colonel looking down at me. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Yes." said he. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray to a more successful conclusion." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "A client, then?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at hurried away. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off passage and a tap at the door. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Street. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the conclusions. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest there were so many in the whole country as were brought together on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Here?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. never will be, entirely cleared up. any little problem which you may submit to me." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with the iron safe, which he closed upon it. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are in this way: "Here?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more congratulate you again." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of he bowed and left the room without another word. "But of what society?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "A confidential servant?" wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as that?' fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "In heaven's name, what for?" He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the and put his glass in his pocket. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I was a lad." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "But what will you do?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage until night should bring an explanation. cause to be." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police you." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman to where he stood hid behind the curtain. situation." "How on earth--" maid will bring up your coffee." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly congenial hunt. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "You have it, sir, just as it happened." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must at my own good fortune. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." his forehead." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be James Windibank. VoilĂ tout!" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Is he quiet?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a you give your casting vote to?" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as events than those which have happened in my own family." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face than was visible to me." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how