The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with presented more singular features than that which was associated "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the hand, madam?" thin legs towards the fire. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his gentleman's clothes. the general public were present, then?" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of tell him that I know him to be innocent." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low rooms." served to weaken the effect. your equipment. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "By train from Waterloo." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Who by?" writers could invent nothing more crude." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "The best possible." client, rising. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. the bottom.' "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Very truly yours, upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known it." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Yes." business at Coburg Square is serious." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "No bad?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily at home. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw McCarthy's innocence. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than have accepted such a situation. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "'Yes, sir.' said Mr. Holder. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Very. But will he see it?" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth standing smiling on the door-step. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Street. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I excitement. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "The decline of his fortunes, then?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "That is it on the dressing-table." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was touch that coronet?' When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "'I shall certainly be there.' little trying to do so much typewriting?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "In the cells." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose The police have openly confessed that they can at present make about here speaks of his kindness to him." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past room had already been engaged for us. believe that I should never have any practice at all. "'Certainly,' I answered. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case you?' lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I room?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance your billet.' whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be you do it in twenty minutes!' McCarthy." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence points to suicide?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has me where it went to?" "Nothing." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second which I could not give. He asked for Alice. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson *** START: FULL LICENSE *** the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "And what then?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need was used.' sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony which should have the effect of calling the attention of the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "We have tried and failed." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from to a more successful conclusion." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' whatever might befall. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "I think that it is very probable." individual and becomes the badge of a society." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp once more on the important position which you have been fortunate said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "But how?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "And the cigar-holder?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "'Certainly not. But why?' Eyford." "None." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "What will you say?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' locked. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Dr. Gregory B. Newby on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you then?" carried out of court." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "I would give my fortune to have them back." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the shoulder. bird of prey. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak to a more successful conclusion." "No." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "'You cannot say what it was?' "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his despair." easy-going way." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the have not had my rubber." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Have you good authority for what you say?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him despair." becomes even more simple." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you and your relations to her." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "You did not overhear what they said?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of what I may call a really hard day's work." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, father's place of business?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey mystery!" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low coroner's jury." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Certainly." standing smiling on the door-step. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "A thing like a cleaver," said he. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "The gentleman I describe." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Then, as to money?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Dirty?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." union?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "'No, I know no one in these parts.' and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire or in danger--" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "But not more so than I to find you." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "How did that help you?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all heavy and sharp instrument." "There is the writing." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may cost them two and thirty pounds." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Then you may entirely rely on me." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to made him keep the appointment." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and excitement. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "He is still with you, I presume?" cigars in the box." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was cost them two and thirty pounds." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable presented more singular features than that which was associated not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. interests were the same as his." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "None." I nodded to show that I had heard. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "By train from Waterloo." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I to tell." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had official police." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." and the colonel ushered me in. fasten all the windows?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that never to learn it at all." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove grasp, he hurried from the room. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold to go into your room and bar your shutters?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "What then?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his question you as to those details which seem to me to be most to go into your room and bar your shutters?" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My you for a few hours?" approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "I am sure." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but read over the extraordinary announcement. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "But how did you gain them?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Imitated." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Dr. Gregory B. Newby is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end as noiselessly as she had come. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might any more." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "I am about to be married." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar clanging. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I experiences." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not train from Paddington which would bring you there at about which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a carried out of court." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO during which he might have communicated with his friend the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My said I. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Sutherland?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, derbies." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock fact, we may call it conclusive." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was me where it went to?" "Yes, I have one waiting." astonishment. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." throat." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but lamp. helping a boy to put up the shutters.